Jonathan Cardinal – who two years ago ran over and killed a father of two while attempting to steal the man’s truck – will spend 18 more months behind bars.
He was sentenced to four-and-a-half years but received three years credit for time already served. Cardinal was also given a 10-year driving ban.
“There’s no justice for Adam,” Adam Groves’ mother, Lorette Schafers, said outside court Monday. “I know that regardless of the amount of time the judge ordered Jonathan Cardinal to serve in prison, no amount of time, nothing will bring my son back.”
Schafers thanked the police and the paramedics who worked on the case and tried to save her son.
“I am sick at heart,” Schafers said. “I find it very disturbing and offensive that with this revolving door legal system, another family will have to be traumatized, will have to be victimized.”
An Edmonton judge handed down the sentence Monday afternoon.
“No sentence that I impose can adequately reflect the loss of Adam’s life,” the judge told Adam Groves’ family in court.
READ MORE: Jonathan Cardinal sentencing adjourned in hit-and-run death of Edmonton dad
On June 13, 2014, Groves was with his wife outside their Beverly Heights home. His truck was running when Cardinal jumped in.
Groves tried to stop him but was run over. The 33-year-old died on scene.
READ MORE: Edmonton hit-and-run victim a ‘truly inspiring’ family man
Cardinal was charged with manslaughter. In January, he pleaded guilty to four charges, including dangerous driving causing death. He filed a Gladue report detailing his past on Saddle Lake Cree Nation.
The Crown asked for four-and-a-half years plus a 10-year driving prohibition. The defence wanted a 33-month sentence.
Cardinal had 67 previous offences on his criminal record, including two driving suspensions totalling five years, court heard. Cardinal admitted to being on meth at the time of Groves’ death. He said he’d been awake for a week and said he didn’t notice running over Groves.
During the sentencing, the judge said Cardinal “has a terrible record” including multiple flights from police. “He is a danger to the public.”
Cardinal sat quietly in court, looking at the floor, as the judge spoke.
The judge said the findings in the Gladue report were worthy of reductions to the sentence.
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