After nearly 3.5 years of navigating the courts, Justice Patrick Duncan handed Terry Johnson who pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Kenneth Savoury earlier this year to seven years of incarceration.
The Crown, represented by Bryson McDonald and Leigh-Ann Bryson argued for sentencing on the high end of the manslaughter guidelines which carries a minimum penalty of 5 years imprisonment.
“We were pushing for something on the higher end, but we understand and respect Justice Duncan’s decision,” Leigh-Ann Bryson said.
While awaiting sentencing Johnson served time that has been credited as 3.5 years due to poor prison conditions during Covid, meaning he will be eligible for release in the Spring of 2028.
The defense did not indicate any intentions to appeal the decision, though (Leigh-Ann) Bryson noted that it is standard procedure for the province’s judicial branch to audit cases where appeals may be warranted and that is a possibility albeit remote.