Brandy Vittrekwa's killer in Yukon court for sentencing
Crown prosecutors want teenaged boy who pleaded guilty to manslaugher sentenced as adult
A Yukon courtroom on Tuesday was full of family members of Brandy Vittrekwa and of the teenaged boy who has admitted to killing her.
A sentencing hearing was being held for the boy, who cannot be named under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. In December, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter in Vittrekwa's 2014 death.
Vittrekwa's body was found in December 2014 on a walking trail in Whitehorse's McIntyre subdivision.
According to the agreed statement of facts, Vittrekwa and the boy had been drinking at a party when the boy tried to kiss Vittrekwa. She wasn't interested and shrugged him off, the court heard. Later that night, the boy severely beat Vittrekwa while they walked home.
Crown prosecutors are arguing that the killer, who was 15 years old at the time of Vittrekwa's death, should be sentenced as an adult. That would mean four to six years in prison.
Defence lawyers say a youth sentence, with a maximum of three years in jail, is sufficient.
A psychologist testifying Tuesday said an adult sentence is not recommended, but said the teen does need at least three years to transition back into society.
With files from Vic Istchenko