Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

Man sentenced to 10 years in death of B.C. woman

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 22 Mar, 2022 03:20 PM
  • Man sentenced to 10 years in death of B.C. woman

NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. - A man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the death of a 49-year-old woman in her home last year in New Westminster, B.C.

Carlo Tobias, who is 22, was originally charged with first-degree murder but pleaded guilty to one count each of manslaughter and being an accessory after the fact in the death of Ma Cecilia Loreto.

The defence and Crown counsel submitted a joint recommendation of a 10-year sentence, minus 18 months for time served, which Judge Peter La Prairie of the B.C. provincial court agreed to.

An agreed statement of facts read in court by Crown counsel Jay Fogel said Loreto was killed on March 17, 2021, before her burned body was found in Burnaby's Greentree Village Park the next day.

A youth, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, has been charged with first-degree murder.

The agreed statement of facts says on the day Loreto was killed, Tobias punched her in the face at her home, rendering her unconscious, but he did not take part in stabbing Loreto afterwards.

"These stab wounds caused Ma Loreto’s death,” Fogel told the court. "Mr. Tobias did not participate in the stabbing. His involvement in the killing was limited to this punch."

Fogel read a victim impact statement from Loreto's sister that said some activities like playing music no longer make her happy as they remind her of her sibling.

"This loneliness has crushed my heart," the statement said.

Tobias did not address the court but his lawyer, William Nathanson, conveyed his client's remorse and apologies to Loreto's family.

Nathanson said his client turned himself in and his plea saved the court from a lengthy trial that would have subjected Loreto's family to more trauma.

"He accepts full responsibility of his actions," Nathanson said.

"Not only did he turn himself in to the police … he gave a full confession."

MORE National ARTICLES

NATO should ready for battle: survey respondents

NATO should ready for battle: survey respondents
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has signalled its solidarity with Ukraine in the form of supplies, weapons and sanctions since the early days of Russia's latest incursion into its territory, but has not deployed troops for combat.

NATO should ready for battle: survey respondents

Vancouver must restore $5.7M to police budget

Vancouver must restore $5.7M to police budget
Vancouver police Chief Adam Palmer says a provincial report from the director of police services has ordered the city to restore $5.7 million to the department’s 2021 budget.

Vancouver must restore $5.7M to police budget

Transit Police investigate after bus operator bear sprayed in Vancouver

Transit Police investigate after bus operator bear sprayed in Vancouver
The driver was immediately overcome by the effects of the spray as his ability to breathe became impaired. He was treated on scene by the Vancouver Fire Department and while he did not suffer any serious physical injuries, the incident continues to have an impact on his mental well being.    

Transit Police investigate after bus operator bear sprayed in Vancouver

Courts will have to consider COVID delays: experts

Courts will have to consider COVID delays: experts
The pandemic halted in-person court proceedings for months in many provinces over the last two years and put jury trials on hold for long periods of time, exacerbating existing backlogs. Measures such as virtual hearings were implemented to minimize the impact of the pandemic, though not all cases could proceed remotely.    

Courts will have to consider COVID delays: experts

689 COVID19 cases over 3 days

689 COVID19 cases over 3 days
There are 359 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 51 are in intensive care. In the past 72 hours, 14 new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,946.

689 COVID19 cases over 3 days

New EV registrations hit Canadian record in 2021

New EV registrations hit Canadian record in 2021
Statistics Canada says 65,253 new battery-only and plug-in hybrid electric cars were registered in the first nine months of 2021, more than the number registered across 12 months in any previous year.    

New EV registrations hit Canadian record in 2021