For the second time this year, the family of Hannah Leflar had to face and speak to someone involved in her murder.
The sentencing hearing for the teenager who has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the January 2015 death of Leflar continued at Court of Queen's Bench in Regina on Monday with 13 victim impact statements from the 16-year-old's family.
The other teen involved, 19-year-old Skylar Prockner, was convicted of first-degree murder in July and sentenced as an adult to life imprisonment with no chance of parole for 10 years.
He stabbed her multiple times in her home.
Last week the court heard from Prockner, who said he killed Leflar alone but the second teen was present at the time.
His lifelong friend and accomplice "did nothing less than usher her to her death," said the victim's mother, Janet Leflar.
Skylar Prockner (left) and his friend, who cannot be named due to age, both pleaded guilty in the murder of Hannah Leflar. (CBC News)
The 19-year-old subject of this week's sentencing hearing cannot be named because he was 16 at the time of the murder. The Crown is seeking an adult sentence for the youth.
'Betrayal' of a friend
Hannah was Janet's only child. She said she has been wracked with guilt since the young girl's death.
The most dangerous monster is the one that comes disguised as a friend. - Janet Leflar
That's not the case for the accomplice, she said.
"I don't think he feels like he did anything wrong. I've never seen shame or remorse," she said.
"He did not just let this happen; he made it happen."
Leflar's family all seemed to think the teen's guilt lies partially in the fact that he was her friend.
"Monsters are real and they look like people," Janet said. "The most dangerous monster is the one that comes disguised as a friend."
'The pain is excruciating'
Seven people read their victim impact statements aloud, including Leflar's father, Jeff, and stepmother, Lore Orasan. Both were visibly fighting back tears. When they looked up at the teen, he looked down.
"It's extremely difficult to breathe the same air as the accused or even look at him. We can't breathe. Our hearts don't beat right," Orasan said.
"He infected us with a chronic, debilitating disease that had no cure. The pain is excruciating."
Orasan said she thinks the teen is "more dangerous" than Prockner, because he could have stopped the attack but did nothing.
Psychiatrist says teen has 'major depressive disorder'
Psychiatrist Dr. Senthil Damodharan testified on Monday, telling the court the teen expressed regret and acknowledged loss of life. But, he did not discuss his role in the murder.
Damodharan said the teen told him he was only trying to help Prockner grieve the loss of his relationship with Leflar and he did not think it would lead to murder.
The doctor said the teen has "major depressive disorder" in combination with a difficult life upbringing and his current situation.
The Crown's portion of the hearing is done. On Tuesday, the teen will testify.
Ultimately, a judge will decide if he'll receive an adult or youth sentence.
from Don T Breathe - Google News http://ift.tt/2yqqTTn
EmoticonEmoticon