Brandy Vittrekwa's killer in Yukon court for sentencing - Action News
Home WebMail Tuesday, November 19, 2024, 03:51 PM | Calgary | -7.4°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
North

Brandy Vittrekwa's killer in Yukon court for sentencing

A Yukon courtroom was packed Tuesday with relatives of Brandy Vittrekwa, and of the teenaged boy who admitted to killing her in December 2014.

Crown prosecutors want teenaged boy who pleaded guilty to manslaugher sentenced as adult

Brandy Vittrekwa was beaten to death on a trail in Whitehorse's McIntyre subdivision in December 2014. At the time, she was living in Whitehorse with her family but was originally from Fort McPherson, N.W.T. (Facebook)

A Yukon courtroom on Tuesday was full of family members ofBrandy Vittrekwaand of the teenaged boy who has admitted to killing her.

A sentencing hearing was being held for the boy, who cannot be named under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. In December, hepleaded guilty to manslaughter in Vittrekwa's2014death.

Vittrekwa's body was found in December2014on a walking trail in Whitehorse's McIntyre subdivision.

According to theagreed statement of facts, Vittrekwa and the boyhad been drinking at a party whenthe boy tried to kiss Vittrekwa. She wasn't interested and shrugged himoff, thecourt heard.Later that night, the boy severely beat Vittrekwa while they walkedhome.

Crown prosecutors are arguing that the killer, who was 15 years old at the time of Vittrekwa's death,should be sentenced as an adult. That would mean four to six years in prison.

Defence lawyers say a youth sentence, with a maximum of three years in jail, is sufficient.

A psychologist testifying Tuesday saidan adult sentence is not recommended, but saidthe teen does need at least three years to transition back into society.

With files from Vic Istchenko