Nain resident sentenced to life in prison for killing man

A Nain man has been sentenced to life in prison for second-degree murder after beating a man to death for refusingto share his alcohol.

In a written decision released Tuesday, Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador Justice StaceyRyansentenced Manasse Bennett, who had pleaded guilty forcausing the 2021 deathof Alfred Winters.

Bennett will also be ineligible for parole for 10 years.

Calling the circumstances of Winters's death "disturbing," Ryan accepted a joint sentencing submission from the Crown and defence counsel.

In her decision, issued from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Ryan noted Bennett's traumatic childhood and an adult life "plagued by unemployment, alcohol abuse and incarceration" but said he must be imprisoned for taking a person's life.

"I am sorry that your life has been difficult. You have experienced a lot of trauma that many of us will never know," she said. "You need to deal with your trauma."

According to an agreed statement of facts submitted to the court,Winters and some friends were drinking at a home on Sandbanks Road in Nain on July 30, 2021.

Around 10 a.m. AT, Bennett arrived at the home uninvited andasked for shots of Winters's liquor, but Winters refused to share.

Court was told Bennett then grabbed Winters and threw him to the ground, kicking him and stomping on his head. Bennett briefly stopped his attacks to look for the liquor, but then resumed his assault on Winters, who was still on the ground. People unsuccessfully tried to pull him away, and one ran to call for help.

When the RCMP arrived, officers found Winters breathing but unresponsive.

He was pronounced dead at the Nain community clinic that afternoon.

The court was told Bennett was found walking up the road intoxicated, with blood on his head, clothing and shoes.

Family history of poverty, abuse, trauma: Ryan

In her decision, Ryan noted Bennett's family history includes poverty, domestic abuse, exposure to violence, addiction, neglect, alcohol abuse, intergenerational trauma andsuicide. He hadalso been involved with the foster system.

Bennett, who was raised by his mother, moved from Nain to Happy Valley-Goose Bay, where he felthe lost part of his identity, didn't fit in and lost his language. Ryan's decision notes Bennett'slife has significant trauma, both personal and intergenerational.

Bennett also has an extensive criminal record, including assaults, assaulting a police officer, uttering threats and assaults with weapons, with offences dating from 2014 to 2021.

Ryan said Bennett attendedthree treatment programs but hasn't completed one yet and wasfound to have a high risk to reoffend.

Bennett has shown remorse and sincerely apologized to the family of Winters, Ryan said, calling it a mitigating factor.

Winters's death felt by community, sayvictim impact statements

Winters's daughter and sisters filed victim impact statements that delineated the effect on themselves and the community. Winterswas a volunteer firefighter for over 30 years, hunted and provided for his family, and shared food with elders and the community.

"It is my hope for you that after today, you continue to grieve, heal and fondly remember your father and brother," Ryan wrote to the family.

Ryan said Bennett once helped elders, single mothers and women while volunteering in Nain. She advised him to work through his trauma and childhood issues with a counsellor while in prison.

"You might be surprised to learn that it may make you feel better inside," Ryan said.

Ryan also imposed a lifetime firearms ban for Bennett and ordered a DNA sample be taken for a national database for forensic analysis.

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