A Calgary man apologized in court Friday for shooting and killing his mother.
Lois Murray was shot in the head at close range in her Ranchlands home on Thanksgiving Monday in Oct. 2013.
Her son, 32-year-old Andrew Douglas Murray, was arrested at the scene and charged with first-degree murder.
It was determined Murray was suffering from an alcohol-induced psychotic disorder and the onset of withdrawal at the time of the shooting.
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He pleaded guilty to a lesser charger of manslaughter.
Murray spoke at his manslaughter sentencing hearing Friday.
“I am sorry that mom is no longer with us. I am sorry that I did not win my battle with alcohol and the cost of that failure is worse than I could have ever imagined,” Murray said.
“How I remember is her is all I had left. I’m lucky my dad picks up the phone. My sister does not. The only thing I had left is the goal is to reach a stage where I can live with a measure of dignity in the wake of this tragedy that will always be with me. My goal is for my family to look at me as a changed man,” Murray continued.
Murray promised to work “diligently” to rehabilitate.
“I need rehab, that’s going to be the first thing I say to my parole officer. I want a residential treatment program upon release.”
The prosecution is seeking 12 to 15 years in addition to the time he’s already spent in custody. With enhanced credit, he’s already served 3.92 years.
“This was a injury that was not survivable; she didn’t stand a chance,” prosecutor Susan Kennedy told court. “This was manslaughter near murder.”
The defence suggested two years in addition to the time already served would be appropriate, followed by supervision in the community after that.
The justice will make her decision June 28.
READ MORE: Son charged in Ranchlands murder
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