Emotions run high during sentencing hearing in Saskatoon for Cheyann Peeteetuce

A courtroom full of people watched a four minute dashcam video that was taken in the moments before a fatal car crash during a sentencing hearing today. 

The young Saskatoon woman, who has pleaded guilty to killing two teenagers in the accident while driving impaired, will be sentenced next month.

Cheyann Peeteetuce, 22, was at Court of Queen's Bench for sentencing arguments today. The Crown is asking that she be sentenced to 12 years in prison. Defence lawyers are asking for a sentence of closer to six years, minus time served on remand. 

"I'm sorry," sobbed Peeteetuce on the stand when asked if she had anything to say. "I know what it's like to lose someone."

CBC's Steve Pasqualotto tweeted live from court.  

• View the tweets here. 

Late last year, Peeteetuce pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving causing death, along with a host of other charges.

Peeteetuce was driving a stolen truck during the accident. The crash happened in the early evening of May 5, 2014 at 22nd Street W. and Avenue M.

J.P. Haughey, 17, and his front seat passenger, Sarah Wensley, 17, were killed.  A 16-year-old girl in the back seat suffered serious injuries but survived.

The parents of the two teens were in court today.

"We could say throw away the key, but we're not asking for that," said Alex Haughey, J.P.'s father. "They should have been incarcerated before that, rehabilitated before that. This is ridiculous. This is why our streets are not safe and I want them to change it."

However, other family members weren't as forgiving.

"I wish she would get life, cause we'll never have Sarah back," said Karen Wensley, Sarah's aunt. "And from the decisions she made in her past, she shouldn't be allowed to spend time with her kids either."

Court watched a lengthy police dashcam video as part of the sentencing. Sarah Wensley's father said it helped him understand what happened that day.

"After seeing the four minutes of video in court and putting myself in the police officer's shoes that was involved in the accident, I could not have done the job he did," wrote father Dave Wensley in an email. "He was by far more professional than I could imagine, and he, too, is just another victim in all this tragedy."

Gladue report

In court, Peeteetuce's lawyer, Val Harvey, said her client had lived a difficult life.

Harvey entered a Gladue report into evidence, detailing the specific circumstances in Peeteetuce's life that led up to the accident. Gladue reports look at factors such as residential schools as well as childhood abuse and addictions common in aboriginal communities. Judges then consider the information when handing down a sentence.

During Peeteetuce's childhood, her mother started drinking heavily after the loss of her son, and there was rarely food in the house. As well, her stepfather tried drowning her.

As an adult, Peeteetuce turned to a life of crime and gangs after her 13-month-old son died after overdosing on an opiate. He was being looked after by family while Peeteetuce was searching for a place to live.

During her time on remand, Harvey said Peeteetuce has renounced her former lifestyle, sending the Indian Posse a letter telling them that she's quitting the gang.

"It's a huge step," said Harvey. "It takes tremendous strength and determination to turn her life around."

Reserved decision

In court, Justice Ted Zarzeczny said he had received 53 victim impact statements for the sentencing hearing. He said he would be taking them all into consideration when making his decision.

"This is not about vengeance," said Zarzeczny. "It is about what is a fair and appropriate sentence, given the circumstances, guided by law."

Zarzeczny reserved his decision for June 12.