The B.C. Prosecution Service is seeking custodial sentences for three Coastal GasLink pipeline opponents convicted last year of criminal contempt for blockading a worksite near Houston.<\/p>\n
Crown counsel Paul Backman laid out the ask to Supreme Court Justice Michael Tammen as the sentencing hearing for Sleydo' (Molly Wickham), Shaylynn Sampson, and Corey Jocko got underway in Smithers this morning (Oct. 15).<\/p>\n
Backman said the Crown believes an appropriate sentence for Sleydo' is 30 days given her leadership role in the blockade. This would be reduced by eight days for time-served on remand after her arrest on Nov. 19.<\/p>\n
The prosecution also recommended a further reduction of two to five days for excessive force and racial abuse the defendants were subjected to by the RCMP.<\/p>\n
Backman downplayed the severity of police conduct saying it fell short of what should be expected, it was a relatively minor breach of the trio's Charter rights.<\/p>\n
Tammen previously ruled in February during an abuse of process hearing that the RCMP had breached their rights, saying it was not enough to stay the proceedings, but that he would entertain a reduction in sentence because of it.<\/p>\n
For Jocko, Backman petitioned for 25 days in jail, less eight days for time served, less two to five days for the Charter violation.<\/p>\n
Finally Backman asked for 20 days for Sampson, less six days time served as she was released the day before the other two (time served is credited as 1.5 days for each day incarcerated).<\/p>\n
The Crown said the lesser sentence recommendations for Jocko and Sampson reflected the varying degrees of culpability among the defendants.<\/p>\n
The courtroom was packed with supporters, so Wet'suwet'en Chiefs and Elders were permitted to sit in the jury box for the proceedings.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sentencing for Sleydo’ (Molly Wickham), Corey Jocko, and Shaylynn Sampson got underway in Smithers Oct. 15<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":130,"featured_media":158471,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-158461","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-top-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n