Niganobe gets five years. Finally breaks

For one brief moment, a little before 11 a.m. this morning, Jeanette Leah Niganobe finally lost it.

Turning to acknowledge the relatives and friends who'd come to support her as she was sentenced, the 32-year-old Mississauga First Nation woman suddenly lost her composure and appeared to be in tears as she was led away in handcuffs.

Superior Court Justice Larry Whalen sentenced Niganobe to five years in penitentiary for impaired driving causing the death of City Police Constable Donald Doucet.

Judge Whalen also sentenced her to two-and-a-half years for impaired driving causing serious injury to Constable William Freeman.

The second sentence will be served concurrently (as the same time as) the five-year sentence.

However, Niganobe won't have to spend the full five years behind bars.

Judge Whalen agreed to allow her a two-for-one-credit for the seven months she's already spent in custody, cutting her prison time by 14 months.

And, he cut a further seven months for time spent under restrictive probation terms.

The bottom line for Jeanette Leah Niganobe is an effective sentence of three years and three months.

Judge Whalen said he strongly doubted that Niganobe had shown any remorse.

"I am not convinced that she accepts responsibility for what she has done," Whalen said.

Acknowledging that Niganobe suffered from a poor upbringing and adverse life experiences, the judge nonetheless said that a conditional sentence would not be understood by the community.

He also ruled out restorative justice, a process often used with aboriginal offenders that involves community consultation and aims at healing the wrong done.

That would not work in this case, Whalen said, pointing to Niganobe's lack of remorse, deep divisions over this case within her home community of Mississauga First Nation, and the fact that Niganobe expects to eventually live in Batchewana First Nation, not Mississauga First Nation.

During Niganobe's sentencing hearing, the court was told how she had returned to the spiritual roots of her father, turning from alcohol and embracing the Seven Grandfather teachings of wisdom, love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility, truth.

Niganobe says she prays to the Creator for both her family and the Doucets, and she wants to apologize to Constable Doucet's family, especially his two daughters.

"She has made a good beginning," Judge Whalen said, expressing hope that Niganobe can learn to deal with her anger.

The full, 30-page transcript of Justice Whalen's remarks are currently being posted on SooToday.com's home page.