Daughter confronts mother’s killer in court

CALGARY- It was an emotional day in a Calgary courtroom on Wednesday as a young woman confronted the man who killed her mother.

A sentencing hearing is currently underway for Gregory Houle, who has been found guilty in the manslaughter death of 45 year old Cherry Ledesma, his common-law wife.

In November of 2011, Ledesma’s body was hidden after she was beaten to death and only discovered days later in the home she shared with Houle.

Tia Ledesma read her victim impact statement to tell the court how much she misses her mother. She told Global News her mother’s death remains very painful.

“It’s something that affects us everyday,” said Ledesma. “It’s a struggle to move forward knowing the extent of her injuries and the last moments of her life.”

In the year leading up to her death, police had responded to dozens of complaints at the couple’s Whitehorn home, at least six of those were related to domestic abuse.

The Crown is asking for a 12 to 15 year sentence for Houle while the defence is arguing 6 years is appropriate.

Houle has already served 276 days pre-trial. If he time and a half credit for time already served, he would be allowed one year and 49 days toward his sentence.

A judge is expected to sentence Houle next Friday.