The accused, Cadence Beauparlant, pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a firearm under s. 95(2) of the Criminal Code, following an incident where a 17-year-old girl was fatally shot by a co-accused using the firearm Beauparlant brought to a party.
The court considered mitigating factors (no prior record at the time of the offence, youth, guilty plea) and numerous aggravating factors (reckless disregard for safety, flight from scene, continued drug trafficking, unrecovered firearm).
The judge emphasized the need for strong denunciation and deterrence for gun crimes, noting the alarming increase in such crimes in Hamilton despite judicial calls for stricter sentences.
The court found the accused's rehabilitation prospects poor given his post-offence conduct.
A sentence of seven years in penitentiary, consecutive to existing sentences for drug trafficking, was imposed, along with a lifetime weapons prohibition and a non-communication order.
