Manyshots brothers deserve 12-year sentence for sexual assault of teen girl, protesters say

A handful of protesters with the number 12 painted on their shirts were in a Calgary courtroom Wednesday as a sentencing hearing resumed for two brothers convicted of kidnapping and repeatedly rapinga 17-year-old girl.

The victim was grabbed from a bus stop in Taradale in November 2014 and endured more than eight hours of assaults, both near the bus stop and at the home of the assailants, before she escaped.

Corey and Cody Manyshots each pleaded guilty last October to sexual assault, kidnapping, robbery and uttering threats.

• Manyshots brothers face delay in sexual assault sentencing
• Manyshots brothers plead guilty to sexual assault, kidnapping of teen girl

The Crown is seeking 12 years for both brothers while their defence counsel is looking for a six-year sentence for Cody and two years, plus three years' probation, for Corey.

Last month, the Crown had asked to read the victim impact statement aloud in court on behalf of the victim. But the judge rejected that requestciting concerns over a publication ban on the girl's identity.

Danielle Aubrey, executive director of Calgary Communities Against Sexual Violence, who joined the demonstration calling for both men to get a 12-year sentence, said the judge still owes the public an explanation for that decision.

"It's an everyday occurrence in this building. I think I it was a real travesty and tromping of this young woman's rights," she said.

"But unfortunately judges don't have to answer to us. They can do whatever they want ...but I think it was appalling."

The sentencing hearing will resume on Nov. 25.

• MORE CALGARY NEWS|'I've been patient': Mother hopes MMIW inquiry leads to review of missing daughter's case
• MORE CALGARY NEWS|Calgary home sales drop for 20th consecutive month, reach 20-year low