Kevonne Marshall pleaded guilty to perjury after falsely testifying in a Superior Court home invasion trial to exonerate the accused, Jacob Owusu-Sarpong, by claiming he committed the crime.
The court found his testimony was prearranged and deliberate, but did not affect the trial's outcome as the original accused was convicted.
The sentencing judge considered aggravating factors, including the seriousness of perjury, the pre-planned nature of the lie, and the implication of an innocent person (Marshall himself).
Mitigating factors included Marshall's youth (20 years old), guilty plea, challenging personal background (learning disability, ADHD, behavioural issues, limited education, family violence), severe cognitive limitations, difficult pre-sentence custody conditions (lockdowns, asthma), and the negative impact of his social environment (Jane-Finch neighbourhood, anti-Black racism).
The court balanced denunciation and deterrence with rehabilitation, ultimately imposing a sentence of 406 days pre-sentence custody (enhanced to 609 days/21 months) plus 1 day in jail, followed by 2 years of probation with specific conditions aimed at rehabilitation.
A DNA order was also issued.
