- The Crown is seeking lengthy jail terms for three men convicted last week for their roles in the 2006 stabbing death of 24-year-old Red River College student Minh Hong Huynh — an act Huynh’s sister said has destroyed her world.
- Glen Monkman, 39, was convicted by a jury last Friday of second-degree murder for fatally stabbing Huynh outside the former Main Street bar Club Desire on April 30, 2006.
- Carlos Tavares, 30, and Norris Ponce, 31, were convicted by the same jurors of manslaughter for their roles in the crime, which the Crown says involved “encouraging and assisting” Monkman.
- Justice Brenda Keyser heard arguments Thursday about how long the three men should be imprisoned.
- The hearing was an emotional one, with two of the convicted men choking up while addressing court and several gallery members crying openly as Crown prosecutor Dale Schille read aloud a victim impact statement prepared by Huynh’s sister Thanh Huynh, who now lives in the U.S.
- Thanh Huynh described crying herself to sleep and barely eating for months after her older brother died.
- “My face was pale and white as a ghost and I had nightmares every night,” her statement read. “I don’t wish this upon anyone because it’s the worst feeling in the world.”
- All three of the convicted men — whom court heard are all fathers — apologized to Huynh’s family while addressing the court.
- “Not a day goes by where I don’t think of what I could have done for this not to happen,” said Ponce, who cried liberally as he spoke.
- The convicted killer trailed off, tears choking his voice.
- Behind him, his wife and mother sobbed loudly into their tissues as he uttered his apology.
- One of three men convicted in a April 2006 stabbing asked for mercy during a sentencing hearing Thursday so he can raise his two children and support his wife while she finishes her education.
- If he gets his way, Norris Ponce will do only about two more years in jail for his role in the vicious public stabbing.
- "I'm sorry to my family because I can't be there for my kids."
- Huynh was wandering around shirtless and intoxicated outside the Bannatyne Avenue club when Monkman stabbed him and then ran away into a waiting vehicle.
- The Crown argued Ponce distracted Huynh before Monkman stabbed him, and Tavares drove the getaway car.
- Police later found Monkman's blood in a rental vehicle they said was used in the attack.
- One of Tavares' relatives testified during the trial he was partying with the three before the attack, and they hatched an attack plan as revenge for another stabbing at a March 2006 wedding social.
- Monkman admitted to stabbing Huynh but said the Red River College student provoked him before the attack.
- Tavares' lawyer David Guttman said he's still unclear how the convicted men knew the victim.
"It's clear there was no plan... (The police) were unable to find any connection," he said.
- All three men addressed Court of Queen's Bench Justice Brenda Keyser Thursday and expressed apologies for the suffering of the victim's family. Lawyers for both Ponce and Tavares said, however, they were confused by the jury's decision to convict them of manslaughter in relation to the attack.
- All three men were originally charged with first-degree murder.
- Their lawyers have said they will likely file an appeal in the case.
- Crown prosecutor Dale Schille said Monkman shouldn't be eligible to apply for parole until 15 years of his automatic life sentence have passed. His lawyer argued he should be eligible after 10 years.
- Ponce and Tavares both said they didn’t agree with the jury’s verdict, but accepted it.
- Monkman will receive a mandatory life sentence for his murder conviction, but at issue will be his parole eligibility. Schille argued he should be ineligible for 15 years, while the defence suggested the more standard 10.
- Schille asked Keyser to sentence Tavares to 10 years in prison and Ponce to seven, since he has no criminal record.
- Guttman argued Tavares should receive a sentence of only three to five years, while Ponce’s lawyer Ian Garber said his client should receive a three-year sentence.
- Keyser reserved her decision.
First of all, if you want my full opinion on this verdict, read my previous blog post about it. As I feel that Tavares and Ponce were wrongfully convicted, as I think they had no part in the killing, are were not aware of an alleged plan of Monkman causing harm to somebody, I feel that they should be given the lightest sentences possible. I don't think someone should be convicted of manslaughter when they didnt kill anybody. Ponce is a father, a husband and a son and did not do this act. He told me that he feels horrible about what happened, but that he is not involved in any way, during the trial. He has been on bail for the past year and has obeyed all of his conditions and he expresses sincere remorse about what happened. Ideally, I would have loved if he had been acquitted, but since the jury got it wrong, I think he should be given a 2 year conditional sentence, so that he can support his family and since he has proven that he has followed conditions, I think it would be successful. I feel that prison should only be reserved for the most dangerous, repeat and high risk offenders and Ponce and Tavares do not fall in this category. Prison has damaging effects and they do not need to be subject to that when they didnt do anything wrong. I feel that Tavares should also receive a conditional sentence, as he too is a father and husband and needs to support his family.
In the case of Monkman, since he admitted to the killing and was found guilty of second degree murder, the mandatory sentence is life imprisonment. (which I also feel is wrong. The Judge should have complete discretion as to how long to sentence somebody convicted of murder, but that's another issue). I feel that he should be eligible for parole at the earliest time possible, which is 10 years, because I think he was provoked and did not kill intentionally or did not plan it.
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