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Breaking: Mitchell, Mearow, Jocko all get less than two years (update)

Sentencing hearing underway this afternoon

4:46 p.m. update:

The courtroom erupted with outrage and obscenities after the three men who killed Wesley Hallam were all sentenced to less than two years.

Ronald Mitchell received a sentence of 22 months, after allowance was made for time served. 

Mearow and Jocko both received two years less a day, after deductions were made for their aboriginal backgrounds and time spent pre-trial in systemic segregation.

All three men have been in custody since they were arrested in early 2011.

SooToday will have more on this story.

3:55 p.m. update:

Lawyers for the Crown and defence are in the process of submitting arguments for sentencing.

As part of a joint submission, the judge is being asked to impose time already served, plus another 22 months for Ronald Mitchell.

The judge is being asked to send Dylan Jocko and Eric Mearow to jail for two years less a day.

Justice Ian McMillan has heard victim impact statements from Wesley Hallam’s mother, Sandra, his sister, Shannon, and others.

SooToday will update this story with more on the sentencing when it is known.

Original story:

Ronald Mitchell, Eric Mearow and Dylan Jocko each pleaded guilty this morning to manslaughter and indignity to a dead body in the 2011 death of Wesley Hallam.

The three had originally been accused of first-degree murder, but they entered guilty pleas today to the reduced charge of manslaughter.

The judge registered convictions this morning on the reduced charges.

A joint submission by the Crown and lawyers for the accused indicated that the reduction in charges was being sought because of “potential frailties in evidence.”

The lawyers indicated that the accused trio lacked mental capacity to commit murder based on provocation and their level of intoxication.

Heavy police presence in the courtroom. Seven officers in what appeared to be bullet-proof vests surrounded the jury box where the three accused were seated. Other plainclothes officers were also present.

The accused remained with their wrists manacled through the first part of the proceedings today.

The three accused indicated to the judge that they understood the judge is not necessarily bound by any agreement that might have been made regarding their sentencing.

The proceedings are currently recessed. SooToday will update with more information when it is known.

A crowd of about 65 people had assembled outside the courthouse leading up to this morning’s appearance.

Many of them were wearing T-shirts reading ‘Justice for Wes’, while some carried signs with the same slogan and others. Black ribbons with 'Wes' written in red.

A number of uniformed city police officers were also on hand for a case that has drawn significant security for previous court appearances.

Hallam's decapitated and dismembered remains were discovered near a Landslide Road creek on January 11, 2011.

Police have said Hallam was killed sometime between January 7 and 11 during a house party at a downtown residence.


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David Helwig

About the Author: David Helwig

David Helwig's journalism career spans seven decades beginning in the 1960s. His work has been recognized with national and international awards.
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