Manyshots brothers’ sentencing delayed for kidnap, rape of Calgary teen

WARNING: This story contains disturbing content. Discretion is strongly advised.

A sentencing hearing has been temporarily cut short for two brothers convicted of kidnapping and repeatedly raping a 17-year-old girl.

The judge granted a request by the defence lawyers to adjourn Tuesday’s hearing. A new date will be announced Aug. 3 for the continuation of the sentencing hearing.

The lawyers want more time to explore mental health issues relating to the Manyshots brothers; the Crown has finished its submissions.

Corey and Cody Manyshots pleaded guilty to kidnapping, uttering threats, sexual assault, and robbery. A charge of sexual assault causing bodily harm was withdrawn.

READ MORE: Manyshots brothers admit to kidnap and repeated rape of Calgary teen

The young victim was in the courtroom and asked to have her victim impact statement read by the prosecutor on her behalf at the start of the hearing.

However, provincial court judge Terry Semenuk ruled if the victim doesn’t read the statement herself, he will not allow it to be read at all. (The law allows victim impact statements to be read by someone else, including the prosecution, but it is at the judge’s discretion).

The brothers sat emotionless in the prisoners’ box. Cody Manyshots waved to his family when he entered the room.

The Crown is asking for a 12-year sentence for each of the brothers, minus credit for time served.

In submissions, the Crown said generally the guilty pleas would be mitigating factors in sentencing. However, Zailin Lakhoo added the brothers have shown a lack of acceptance and responsibility.

“They don’t acknowledge the gravity of what they’ve done,” she said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "They don't acknowledge the gravity of what they've done," she said.

Cody’s defence lawyer is asking for six years minus (enhanced) credit-leaving approximately four years left to serve. Corey is asking for time served (at enhanced 1.5 credit) plus two years.

The prosecution told court the victim has said she “will never be the same again.” The judge acknowledged obvious emotional, physical and psychological damage.

Watch below: Global’s past coverage of the Manyshots brothers’ case

In November 2014, the teenage girl was taken from a northeast bus stop and dragged to a nearby alley where she was sexually assaulted. She was then taken to a Martindale home where she was again repeatedly raped by both brothers. Corey forced her to perform oral sex.

Manyshots’ father sat in the living room with another man as they brought the young girl into the house. She tried to look to the father for help, but no one intervened.

READ MORE: No charges to be laid against father of brothers who pleaded guilty to rape of Calgary teen

Between the assaults, Corey cooked. His girlfriend and child were also in the home and saw the young girl. The victim also watched them take drugs that she believed to be crack.

The Grade 12 student was held for eight hours before she was able to escape. She waited until they were asleep, then snuck out the back door.

Once outside, she wrote on her hand the address, the name “Cody” and several words including “native” and “black and red shovel.” With her cellphone gone, she caught a bus, CTrain and another bus until finally she could run home.

Her mother took her to a nearby police department where she described the brutal attack. She was able to give directions for investigators, who drove her to the area where she was kidnapped and found the home in which she was held captive.

The teen broke down as she picked both Corey and Cody out of separate photo lineups. On Corey’s photo she wrote “this is the man.” On his brother’s photo, she wrote “Cody.”

READ MORE: Bail denied for Manyshots brothers accused of kidnapping and sexual assault

In considering the sentence, the Crown is pointing to a long list of aggravating factors including the premeditation, the robbery, the choking, the fear of death and the violence used.