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Woman receives youth sentence for 2012 murder of boyfriend in Alliston

Victim's family angrily leaves Barrie court after ruling announced
barrie_courthouse
The Barrie Courthouse is pictured in this file photo

A judge in Barrie has handed a youth sentence to a young woman who "plunged a knife up to its hilt" in her boyfriend's chest in a jealous, alcohol-fuelled rage.    

Steven Garnier, 24, died at an Alliston house party on June 23, 2012 after being stabbed in the heart with an eight-inch kitchen knife.

The woman had pleaded guilty to second-degree murder but because she was 17 at the time of the offence she cannot be named due to provisions under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

"I am impressed with her progress but I'm not satisfied she is ready to be released into the community," said Justice Michelle Fuerst.

The woman's identity is still protected because she has been sentenced as a youth.

Court heard she was born to substance-abusing teenage parents and became involved in an "inappropriate relationship" with Garnier when she was 13 and he was 20. 

Now 21, she has already served more than three years in a youth facility.

But Justice Fuerst imposed one more year in custody to be served at a provincial adult facility due to the woman's age.

She will then serve three more years of conditional supervision in the community.

"Unfortunately no sentence I impose can restore him (Garnier) to those who love him," Justice Fuerst said. 

The judge rejected the crown's request for a life sentence in an adult facility.

The defence had sought a youth sentence of time served and community supervision.

"I'm satisfied with the decision in this case," the woman's lawyer Jeff Hershberg said outside court.  "It's a youth sentence and that's ultimately what we were looking for. It was a well-reasoned judgement. She received the maximum youth sentence allowed under the Youth Criminal Justice Act."  

Garnier's distraught mother wept throughout the proceedings and spoke out from the front row when the sentence was passed.

"One year for my son's life," she said, her voice shaking with emotion. "One year for destroying my family."

The judge sternly advised the court that if people wanted to speak out they would have to leave.

Garnier's relatives angrily stood up and exited, many of them weeping. 

 


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Sue Sgambati

About the Author: Sue Sgambati

Sue has had a 30-year career in journalism working for print, radio and TV. She is a proud member of the Barrie community.
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