After being found guilty of second-degree murder in his estranged wife’s 2014 death, Gilbert Robinson was sentenced to life in prison without the chance for parole for 13 years on Thursday.
READ MORE: Gilbert Robinson found guilty of killing estranged wife
The decision came after a two-day sentencing hearing that included about 30 victim impact statements.
Robinson’s estranged wife Gina Robinson was found dead at his home in April 2014.
The medical examiner ruled Gina’s death was not an accident and concluded her injuries involved “multiple blunt force trauma.”
“I’m upset,” Gina’s brother, Douglas Chimko, said outside the courthouse.
Paul Robinson, Gilbert and Gina’s son, spoke in support of his father on Thursday afternoon. He said he wanted more time with his dad and hoped he would be eligible to apply for parole after 10 years.
“Some days all I want is to give him a hug and tell him to keep fighting, that life is worth it and no matter what, I’ll be there,” Paul Robinson said.
READ MORE: Crown says Edmonton woman severely beaten with 2×4: ‘This was not an accident. This was murder’
- 2 teens charged with murder in case of 16-year-old killed outside Halifax mall
- Green Party deputy leader given jail sentence for Fairy Creek old growth protests
- Cars torched, explosions heard in suspected arson in Montreal neighbourhood
- Gas station clerk stabbed several times during violent attack at Ultramar in Montreal
Gilbert Robinson addressed the court before the sentencing hearing ended on Thursday. He thanked his “true friends and family” for standing by him. He said he loves his kids.
Robinson also addressed Gina’s friends and suggested they were taking “cheap shots” at him.
“You can tell by their obesity, they have no self-control,” he said. “I guess I am now shunned from the group. Well that’s their loss.”
Michelle Chimko said if Robinson speaks like that at his parole board hearing in 13 years, she is quite certain he won’t be granted parole.
During the trial, court heard the couple separated in February 2012, and they were in the process of ending their 30-year marriage.
READ MORE: Edmonton woman’s friend testifies accused murderer said his wife ‘fell down the stairs’
The Crown said on April 22, 2014, Gina went to Robinson’s home and she was supposed to call her friend when she left. By 9 p.m., there was no phone call.
Court heard Gina’s friend drove to Robinson’s house and knocked on the door. Gina was found in a pool of blood at the bottom of Gilbert’s basement stairs.
She was rushed to the Royal Alexandra Hospital that night with numerous injuries and died the next day.
READ MORE: Witnesses in Edmonton murder trial describe Gina Robinson’s injuries: ‘They were catastrophic’
The jury did not have a unanimous recommendation for sentencing.
The Crown was asking for a life sentence with no chance of parole for 21 years while the defence argued Robinson should be eligible for parole after 11 years. The judge ruled 21 years was too long and that it was better to let the parole board make the decisions.
— With files from Global’s Caley Ramsay, Phil Heidenreich and Julia Wong
Comments