They both wanted out of the gang life. The price for one was a lifetime confined to a wheelchair; for the one who put him there, a 10-year prison sentence.
Indian Posse gangster Justin Meeches admitted shooting another gang member in the head and back in a plea bargain that saw prosecutors stay a charge of attempted murder.
Meeches, 32, pleaded guilty Monday to the reduced charge of discharging a firearm with intent to wound.
Court heard the victim left the gang, raising the ire of senior members. “He felt that the brotherhood the organization was founded upon was disintegrating and that members were simply interested in exerting their power and controlling the drug trade,” said Crown attorney Brent Davidson.
When Meeches arrived at the victim’s doorstep June 9, 2008, the man thought he was going to be beaten “and he was prepared to accept that,” Davidson said.
But Meeches shot the man in the back and head with a .22 calibre rifle. The man’s spinal cord was severed and he is now paralyzed from the chest down.
Defence lawyer Kathy Bueti said Meeches was trying to leave the Indian Posse as well and saw the shooting as his “last active involvement with the gang.”
“His intention was to send a message,” Bueti said. “He didn’t necessarily want to kill him (but) he knew a serious injury was possible.”
Justice Glenn Joyal credited Meeches 32 months for time served. His remaining sentence is seven years, four months.
“You deserve every minute of the time you will serve,” Joyal said.
10 year term for shooting of ex-gangster
He tried to walk away from a Winnipeg street gang -- and ended up paralyzed for life.
Details of a shocking June 2008 attack emerged publicly for the first time this week, painting a grim picture of the challenge facing those who want to escape a criminal lifestyle.
Justin Meeches, 32, pleaded guilty Monday to shooting the 36-year-old victim in the head and back as revenge for leaving the Indian Posse. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison under a joint-recommendation from Crown and defence lawyers.
"You deserve every minute of the time you will serve," said Queen's Bench Justice Glenn Joyal.
Meeches admits going to the victim's Ross Avenue home, armed with a .22-calibre rifle, and opening fire after his former gang associate opened the door. The victim's spinal cord was severed, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down and confined to a wheelchair.
The man's common-law wife and three young children were in the home at the time. Police sealed off the area and spent hours searching for Meeches, who was able to escape. He wasn't arrested until January 2009 and has been in custody since.
"I hope in the future he can forgive me for what I did. I'm sorry his family had to go through that, too," Meeches told court.
Crown attorney Brent Davidson said the victim had recently left the Indian Posse, which didn't sit well with senior members including Meeches. The man had been receiving several threats from other gangsters preceding the shooting.
"(The victim) felt that the brotherhood the organization was founded upon was disintegrating and that members were simply interested in exerting their power and controlling the drug trade," said Davidson. "He was basically told he better start coming around or there would be problems. He tried to stay out of sight, out of mind."
The victim was prepared for violence but only thought he was going to beaten by Meeches, court was told. Defence lawyer Kathy Bueti said Meeches was also planning to leave the Indian Posse once he "sent a message" by shooting the victim.
"He was taking instructions from another member of the gang," she said. "He didn't necessarily want to kill him... he knew a serious injury was possible."
Meeches was originally charged with attempted murder but the Crown agreed to drop it in exchange for a guilty plea to the lesser offence of discharging a firearm with intent to maim or wound. Davidson said the victim has moved out of the city with his family and had safety concerns about returning to testify.
Meeches has been a member of the Indian Posse since the age of 15 and has a lengthy criminal record, court was told.
He was given double-time credit for the 16 months he has spent in pre-trial custody.
10 year term for shooting of ex-gangster
He tried to walk away from a Winnipeg street gang -- and ended up paralyzed for life.
Details of a shocking June 2008 attack emerged publicly for the first time this week, painting a grim picture of the challenge facing those who want to escape a criminal lifestyle.
Justin Meeches, 32, pleaded guilty Monday to shooting the 36-year-old victim in the head and back as revenge for leaving the Indian Posse. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison under a joint-recommendation from Crown and defence lawyers.
"You deserve every minute of the time you will serve," said Queen's Bench Justice Glenn Joyal.
Meeches admits going to the victim's Ross Avenue home, armed with a .22-calibre rifle, and opening fire after his former gang associate opened the door. The victim's spinal cord was severed, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down and confined to a wheelchair.
The man's common-law wife and three young children were in the home at the time. Police sealed off the area and spent hours searching for Meeches, who was able to escape. He wasn't arrested until January 2009 and has been in custody since.
"I hope in the future he can forgive me for what I did. I'm sorry his family had to go through that, too," Meeches told court.
Crown attorney Brent Davidson said the victim had recently left the Indian Posse, which didn't sit well with senior members including Meeches. The man had been receiving several threats from other gangsters preceding the shooting.
"(The victim) felt that the brotherhood the organization was founded upon was disintegrating and that members were simply interested in exerting their power and controlling the drug trade," said Davidson. "He was basically told he better start coming around or there would be problems. He tried to stay out of sight, out of mind."
The victim was prepared for violence but only thought he was going to beaten by Meeches, court was told. Defence lawyer Kathy Bueti said Meeches was also planning to leave the Indian Posse once he "sent a message" by shooting the victim.
"He was taking instructions from another member of the gang," she said. "He didn't necessarily want to kill him... he knew a serious injury was possible."
Meeches was originally charged with attempted murder but the Crown agreed to drop it in exchange for a guilty plea to the lesser offence of discharging a firearm with intent to maim or wound. Davidson said the victim has moved out of the city with his family and had safety concerns about returning to testify.
Meeches has been a member of the Indian Posse since the age of 15 and has a lengthy criminal record, court was told.
He was given double-time credit for the 16 months he has spent in pre-trial custody.
I completely disagree with the 7 year sentence. I feel that is far too harsh. I would like to know more about the mitigating factors in this case, the accused's background life, prior record, etc. Prisons are negative environments which do not solve the causes of crime or the social and economic contributing factors. Gangs, drugs, the prison subculture and pro-criminal behaviours and attitudes are prevalent which will likely have a negative impact on this gang member. It is likely that he will become further involved and entrenched in the gang and criminal lifestyle while in prison. Also, prison programs are underfunded and have long waiting lists. Overcrowding, means that prison resources and programs cannot be distributed evenly to all of those who need them most. Prisoners are often released with little assistance, no rehabilitation, substance abuse issues, no housing and no employment and no skills.
If I were the judge, I would have sentenced this man to a 2 year conditional sentence where he would be required to participate in a gang desistance and prevention program, counseling, and attend programming to address the underlying causes of his criminal behaviour and gang lifestyle.
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