Prosecutor wants harsh sentence for woman convicted in Courtepatte killing
A young woman convicted of playing a role in the beating death of 13-year-old Nina Courtepatte in April 2005 should be sentenced as an adult, a Crown prosecutor argued Wednesday.
The 20-year-old, who can't be named because she was 17 at the time of the crime, is in court in Edmonton for a weeklong sentencing hearing, which began on Monday. She was convicted in April 2007 of charges of kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault and manslaughter in Courtepatte's death.
If the woman is treated as a youth, the maximum sentence is three years in custody. If she's sentenced as an adult, she could receive up to 25 years in prison.
Courtepatte was lured from the West Edmonton Mall with the promise of a party, then was raped and beaten.
"On a scale of one to 10 for crimes, this would be a 10," Crown prosecutor John Watson told the hearing in Edmonton.
Watson said the community is outraged by the crime, pointing out that there are still letters to the editor about it appearing three years later.
Watson also noted that the woman knew about the group's plan to kill the girl. She also held Courtepatte's hands while she was being sexually assaulted, and was the first to hit her with a wrench.
Defence lawyer Colleen Connolly argued a youth sentence should still be considered and that the community's revulsion at the crime should not be a major consideration.
"We shouldn't be attempting to satisfy society. The goal should be protecting society," she said.
Connolly said her client has worked to deal with her drug and alcohol addictions while in custody and has completed her high school diploma.
Justice June Ross said she will rule on Thursday whether the woman will be sentenced as a youth.
On Friday she will hear arguments about the length of the sentence.
The woman is one of five people who were initially charged in the case. Joseph Laboucan and Michael Williams are now serving life sentences in prison for their parts in the crime. Another accused, Michael Briscoe, was acquitted.
A second young woman has yet to stand trial.