KELOWNA, B.C. — A Kelowna, B.C., man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for killing another passenger on a bus by stabbing him in the neck from behind.
Tyler Newton, 25, was charged with second-degree murder in the killing of 55-year-old Caesar Rosales on Oct. 30, 2014.
Defence lawyer Jordan Watt said his client was in a drug-induced state of psychosis.
Norton's drug problems started at age 11, when he was introduced to marijuana and later cocaine, heroin and crystal meth.
"The power of drugs is immense, and the court's message through this sentence must therefore be strong," B.C. Supreme Court Justice Heather Holmes said Friday.
"His act was deliberate, and with his forceful stab wound to Mr. Rosales' neck, it is clear that death was almost inevitable," she said.
Crown lawyer Colin Forsyth had called a 10-year term, while Watt requested a sentence in the range of four to six years.
With time served, Newton's term amounts to 4.5 years.
"It is extremely important that people who embark on the use of mind-altering drugs understand that they will be held accountable for harm they do to others while they are in the intoxicated or altered state," Holmes said.
"It is also important that Mr. Newton specifically understands that his priority now is to make sure that his drug addiction never take hold again."
Newton has a long criminal history including 50 offences between 2009 and 2014, although none of the convictions involved violent crimes.
Rosales was born and raised in the Philippines. He moved to Canada in 2001 and relocated to Kelowna in 2012 for a job.
His brother, Darwin Rosales, travelled from the Philippines to be in court this week.
Following the sentencing hearing, Rosales expressed disappointment in the Canadian justice system.
"I don't think it's appropriate the kind of sentence the accused got today," he said outside court. "Adding insult to injury, the killer walks away a free man in such a short period of time."
Rosales said he did not believe Newton was remorseful for his actions.
"My brother cannot be put back to life. To me, there will always be unanswered questions."
