WARNING: This story contains graphic content
Jerry Constant, 33, pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree murder and offering indignity to human remains.
The remains of Karina Wolfe, who was 20 at the time of her disappearance, were found in a marshy area near the airport in November 2015, over five years after she went missing.
Constant, who has previous convictions for assault and sexual assault, was given life imprisonment for the second-degree murder with no chance of parole for 14 years. A five-year sentence will also be served concurrently for indignity to human remains.
“It was a well reasoned decision. It’s a difficult job to balance the aggravating factors in this case and the fact that, had it not been for Mr. Constant coming into the police station and confessing, the crime probably would not have been solved,” said Crown prosecutor Matthew Miazga.
READ MORE: Psychologist says voice drove Saskatoon woman to kill her son
A longer parole eligibility term was mitigated by Constant’s confession and subsequent guilty plea.
“I think given the circumstances it was a very fair disposition,” explained defence lawyer Sangeeta Patal.
Wolfe’s mother Carol and brother Desmond gathered inside the Saskatoon courtroom to hear the plea and delivered emotional victim impact statements before sentencing.
“It was a really difficult time for the family, Carol and Desmond, as we heard a lot of details and a lot of the realities of what happened to Karina,” said FSIN vice-chief Kimberly Jonathan.
The Crown prosecutor recounted acts of the crime in court, using the evidence to support why Constant should have a longer time before he’s eligible for parole.
According to his statement, Wolfe was picked up by Constant for sex and strangled at his apartment. The next day she was wrapped in plastic bags for transportation and her body was disposed of in a slough. The Crown prosecutor also said Constant watched a movie, Mr. Brooks, overnight.
Hearing this, brother Desmond left the court room making direct eye contact with his sister’s killer and shaking his head.
Carol Wolfe is deaf, however her voice and love for her daughter was heard loud and clear. Using a translator she called Karina a “talented artist and writer” and her “beautiful butterfly” that’s irreplaceable.
“The life sentence that was provided to him is never enough,” said Jonathan, “Some people have said ‘at least there’s closure,’ but there is no closure. There never will be, because a part of our soul will never be with us.”
Wolfe will be raising money through a GoFundMe page to purchase a headstone for Karina’s grave in her home community of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation.
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