Sentencing has begun for one of two teenagers who pleaded guilty in connection with the death of Manitoban Serena McKay.
19-year-old McKay was killed in April 2017 on Sagkeeng First Nation. A violent video showing her being brutally beaten the night she died was widely circulated on social media.
Two teens, who cannot be named, were arrested and charged.
WATCH: Second teen pleads guilty in death of Serena McKay
The Crown was originally said to be seeking an adult sentence for one of the accused’s involvement, which would have led to a life sentence.
That changed Tuesday with the Crown asking for the maximum youth sentence, which would put the accused behind bars for four more years, and an additional one and a half years under conditional supervision. She is considered a medium to high risk to re-offend.
The accused has already been in custody for one year.
Serena McKay’s mother Dolores Daniels spoke in court, describing her daughter as a “beautiful young lady” with a bright future that was taken away by the teens accused of beating her to death.
“I do not believe they deserve a second chance to live in society after what they did. My daughter did not get a second chance,” Daniels said.
Gloria Lolman, McKay’s grandmother, shared how she felt when she found out her granddaughter had been killed.
“My heart felt like it had been pierced by a sharp object… I couldn’t breathe,” Lolman said. “Something very wrong has happened here.”
“The impact of her death has left a permanent void in the family.”