TORONTO – The final two men convicted in the Dec. 26, 2005 shootout that killed Toronto teenager Jane Creba have been sentenced to 12 years in prison.
But with pretrial custody taken into account, Tyshaun Barnett and Louis Woodcock have only three years and seven months left to serve. Both men are also subject to a lifetime firearms prohibition.
"The danger to the public and the carnage contributed to by the behaviour of these accused requires a substantial sentence," Justice Gladys Pardu wrote in her sentencing decision, handed down Thursday.
Creba died as a bystander during a gunfight on Yonge Street. Two others have also been convicted in the incident.
In June, a Crown attorney argued Barnett and Woodcock should receive sentences of 15 years for their roles in the death of Creba.
In April, a jury acquitted Woodcock and Barnett, both 23, of second-degree murder. They were both found guilty of manslaughter and four counts of aggravated assault.
Barnett’s lawyer, Christopher Hicks, deemed the sentence "a little too high," saying he had hoped for a maximum of 10 years. But Barnett is "glad it’s at least over," Hicks said.
Anthony Robbins, who represented Woodcock, had called for his client to be released on time served.
"In reflection, my client is pleased with the result . . . There’s a light at the end of the tunnel," Robbins said.
The final two men convicted in the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Jane Creba were sentenced to 12 years in prison on Thursday.
But with pretrial custody taken into account, Tyshaun Barnett and Louis Woodcock have only three years and seven months left to serve. Both men are also subject to a lifetime firearms prohibition.
"The danger to the public and the carnage contributed to by the behaviour of these accused requires a substantial sentence," Justice Gladys Pardu wrote in her sentencing decision, handed down Thursday.
Ms. Creba was fatally wounded on Boxing Day 2005 as she crossed Yonge Street just north of the Eaton Centre, while out shopping with her sister. The 15-year-old high school student was caught in the crossfire of a gun battle between two rival groups outside of a Foot Locker store.
Woodcock, 23, and Barnett, 23, were originally charged with second-degree murder and accused of firing guns in the shootout. They were convicted by a jury this spring of manslaughter and four counts of aggravated assault, related to others wounded in the gun battle.
The two men also received 8 years in jail for aggravated assault, but those sentences will be will be served concurrently with the manslaughter sentence.
Jeremiah Valentine, who pleaded guilty last December to second-degree murder and received a life sentence with no parole for at least 12 years, used a .357 Magnum to fire the shot that “almost certainly” was the source of the bullet that killed Ms. Creba, the court heard.
While Barnett and Woodcock were not accused of firing a shot that killed anyone, the Crown said the two men legally caused the death of Ms. Creba. “This was a mutual gunfight,” said Mr. Gillezeau.
In June, a Crown attorney argued Barnett and Woodcock should receive sentences of 15 years for their roles in the death of Creba.
In April, a jury acquitted Woodcock and Barnett, both 23, of second-degree murder. They were both found guilty of manslaughter and four counts of aggravated assault.
Barnett’s lawyer, Christopher Hicks, deemed the sentence "a little too high," saying he had hoped for a maximum of 10 years. But Barnett is "glad it’s at least over," Hicks said.
Anthony Robbins, who represented Woodcock, had called for his client to be released on time served.
"In reflection, my client is pleased with the result . . . There’s a light at the end of the tunnel," Robbins said.
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