2 Moncton men sentenced for role in teen's 2022 shooting death

Two Moncton men were sentenced Thursday to five years behind bars for their roles in the 2022 shootingdeath of a Moncton teenager, though they will actually serve less than two years.

NicholasMcAvoy, 26, and Hayden Leblanc, 20, were sentenced after pleading guilty to manslaughter.

Theywere among six peoplechargedafter the April 25, 2022, death of18-year-old Joedin Lloyd Leger.

Court of King's Bench Justice Jean-Paul Ouellettesaid a life was taken prematurely, which upended the lives of Leger's family and friends.

"This should remain on your conscienceand follow you allof your life,"Ouellette said to McAvoy and Leblanc as he issued their sentences.

Ouellette accepted the sentence jointly recommendedby Crown prosecutors and defence lawyers for the two men.

McAvoywas sentenced to five years. He was credited 1.5 days for each of the772 days in custody since his arrest, leaving667 days left to serve.

Leblanc was sentenced to five years and two months. He was also credited 1.5 days for each of the779 days in custody since his arrest. That means he will have 716 days left to serve.

Leblanc's sentence was different because of his level of involvementin the crime.

Details cannot be reported

The details of what the two men admit cannot be reported because of a publication ban. Ouelletteimposed the ban to protect the upcoming jury trial of two other men charged in connection with Leger's death.

Ouellette imposed the sentence after hearing victim impact statements from Leger's girlfriend and family members.

Family describes loss

Chantal Boudreau, Leger's girlfriend, said her life has been shattered.

"After your sentences are done, you get to go home to your family and live the rest of your lives," she said of Leblanc and McAvoy, who sat watching her from the prisoner's box.

Shestruggled to read her statement that described seeing Leger dying.

"That morningI didn't just lose the person I love, our dreams died with him,"Boudreau said.

Leger's mother,Dawnita Hanson, read her victim impact statement as well as another written by Leger's father, Rodney Leger.

"You don't know me, I don't know you. You're a stranger and you've broken my heart,"Hanson said.

Hanson described nightmares andfeeling guilty because she wasn't there as her son died.

"I wasn't there to keep him safe and hold him so that he knows he's not alone," she said.

After lawyers outlined the recommended sentence, both Leblanc and McAvoy stood and addressed Leger's family in the courtroom.

McAvoy said nothing he could say could bring their son back and that he will have to live with his actions that day.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Leblanc said.