Teen shooter sentenced to 14 years

A North Preston man has been sentenced as an adult to 14 years in prison for shooting Michael Patriquen Jr. and leaving him paralyzed.

Mykel Smith, 19, was sentenced Tuesday for attempted murder.

He was 17 when he shot Patriquen in his Middle Sackville home on Nov. 11, 2008. The court heard it wasa contract-style shooting.

Patriquen was in provincial court Tuesday and spoke publicly about the shooting for the first time.

He said he was pleased with the decision.

"No amount of time would really make me happy, but I do take consolation that he didn't get a slap on the wrist and that we're actually making statements that violent senseless crimes, especially involving guns and with the intent to kill, won't just be a slap on the wrist. You will actually get adult time in an adult facility," he said.

The defense was hoping for a youth sentence with a maximum of three years in jail.

Patriquen's lawyers asked Judge Jamie Campbell for an adult sentence of 15 to 18 years.

"We're happy with the decision as rendered by Judge Campbell today," said Crown Prosecutor Terry Nickerson. "I thought it was fair and very articulate."

Campbell said an adult sentence was necessary for Smith, whom he described as cold and criminally sophisticated.