Fourth person sentenced in Saint John stabbing death

A manaccused in the death of Justin Breau has been sentenced to eight years in prison for manslaughter.

Evan Louis Tobias, 30,pleaded guilty to manslaughter in June, and admitted to going into the apartment of the Saint John victimand stabbing him in the leg multiple times.

On Monday, Justice Kathryn Gregory sentenced him to eight years, minus two years of time served.

Tobias was one of six people charged and the fourth to be sentenced. There are twomen still awaiting trial on a charge of first-degree murderCharles William Shatford and Donald Robert Walker. A six-week trial is scheduled for the fall.

In court, Crown prosecutors said there was no victim impact statement filed, and the eight-year sentence was recommended jointly by Crown and defence.

Wearing a grey suit and burgundy shirt, Tobias read a statement addressed to the family of the victim.

"I believe myself that no parent should ever have to bury their son or daughter, their child," he said.

"Personally, I believe that toonly say I'm sorry is selfish and disrespectful. That is why I've attempted today to articulate my awareness of the immense gravity of your tragic loss...I do, however, feel for you deeply, and I am also deeply ashamed with myself."

The sentencing judgesaid she hopes Tobias receives treatment for mental health and addiction issues.

"Heappears to have insight into these issues and how to address them. It is up to him to put in the effort to get help and to improve himself," Gregory said.

"I fervently hope that he will pursue his interest in business, as I believe he has the ability to contribute to and to participate and to become a productive, law-abiding member of society."

In May, Dustin Trey Walker-Hammond, 25, the youngest of the six charged,was sentenced to two years less a day for manslaughterfor his role in Breau's death.

Travis Earl Boudreau, 34, and Sarah Jean Belzil, 37,pleaded guilty to being accessories and were sentenced inApril. They were both given a one-year conditional sentence to be served in the community. Boudreau had spent 22 months in jail awaiting trial, and Belzil7 months.

There is a publication ban on any details that reveal the involvement of the other two people in the case, since their trials have not taken place yet.