In a unanimous decision, the Alberta Court of Appeal has dismissed a Calgary killer’s appeal for a reduced sentence.
White supremacist Robert Reitmeier was convicted of the second-degree murder of Mark Mariani in November 2013 and sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 13 years.
READ MORE: Neo-Nazi man appeals murder conviction in 2010 fatal beating
Reitmeier sat emotionless in the prisoner’s box Tuesday. White power tattoos cover his neck, face and arms.
Mariani’s family was relieved by the decision.
Kim Ross, Reitmeier’s lawyer, argued Tuesday his client’s sentence should be on par with a second man convicted in the case: Tyler Sturrup.
Sturrup didn’t go to trial. Instead he pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for ten years.
Mariani, 47, was brutally beaten to death Oct. 3, 2010 after going to a video store in northwest Calgary.
Watch below: Global’s coverage of Robert Reitmeier’s past court proceedings
Mariani had health problems and had gone into a back alley to empty his ostomy bag, which is a medical pouch that collects waste from the bladder or colon.
Reitmeier and Sturrup boot-stomped and kicked Mariani, leaving him for dead with a fractured skull and ribs.
Mariani managed to crawl to his car, where he died.
READ MORE: ‘It wasn’t just us’ – Calgary men bond, share grief over siblings’ homicide
It’s been a frustrating time for Mariani’s family, as they have had to return to court multiple times for Reitmeier and Sturrup.
“They keep trying like little rats to get out of their homes,” Weltzin said.
But the family wants both men convicted of killing Mariani to know they will be at every court appearance, and every parole hearing.
“We are here for the long haul, we are not going to let this die.”
Comments