Thirty Craig Gibson On Thursday, he returned to Toronto of the United Kingdom for his condemnation hearing after being found guilty of manslaughter guilty by a jury in December.
The British corporal entered the superior courthouse with his fiancée by his side to the family of Brett SheffieldThe victim of the deadly assault, explained how his death had an impact on their lives.
Justin Leblanc, Sheffield’s friend, said in his declaration of impact of the victim that he was there the night of his death.
“I saw my best friend lying on the floor motionless after an attack so useless and not caused,” said Leblanc.
Sheffield’s father told court that he had lost his will and his passion to continue since the death of his only son. “Everything Brett did was so altruistic. He wanted to help everyone, and all of this was removed from him,” said Lyn Sheffield.
The beautiful parents-in-law of Sheffield also approached the court and explained how they had been delighted to call them their son-in-law.
“Brett has always been completely encouraged.
A bar fight on King Street
It was August 27, 2023, when Gibson and Sheffield met at the local bar only.
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The two men visited Toronto. Gibson was in town for a few days of relaxation on the way back to Scotland after his peloton was invited to participate in a recognition competition in Thunder Bay.
Sheffield, a Winnipeg entrepreneur who had a company called Next Generation, had gone to Toronto with some colleagues for a business meeting.
Gibson and a colleague soldier started a conversation with the Sheffield group on what Gibson was wearing. He wore a kilt and had come from the Blue Jays game. After the two drank a lot, things changed quickly.
The deputy prosecutor of the crown, Andrew Gibbons, said that the crown position is that Gibson was upset that Sheffield did not give him more cocaine.
Defense lawyer Adam Weisberg argued that the crown theory was very unlikely since Gibson was a soldier, knew that he was likely to test drugs on his return from Canada and said he had never made cocaine in his life.
Video surveillance seemed to show words exchanged between the two before Sheffield removes his shirt. Gibson struck Sheffield at least three times, flowing it twice in the head and neck before Gibson hit him twice more.
Sheffield was transported urgently to the hospital and died two days later. His cause of death was an artery experienced in the neck caused by a blunt trauma.
At the trial, Gibson took a position in his own defense, testifying that he thought that Sheffield had a knife and acts in self-defense.
Gibbons argued that a sentence of 6.5 years in a penitentiary would be appropriate given the aggressive and not caused nature of Gibson’s attack on Sheffield. “All circumstances require a sentence to dissuade others from engaging in an act of violence,” said Gibbons.
“It was not a case in one blow. He struck it with force in the head and neck, and used his elbow at the start and then used superior punches. He had to be stopped by others or he would have continued,” added Gibbons, arguing that Gibson was determined to fight that Sheffield had refused.
Weisberg said that a more appropriate sentence is two to three years in prison.
“There was a wave of strikes because he perceived that Sheffield had a knife. This is a case of bad luck for Mr. Gibson and worse luck for Mr. Sheffield. Normally, this type of blow would not kill an individual,” said Weisberg.
Weisberg said his client had remorse, has no criminal record and had no intention of killing Sheffield. In addition, Gibson faces a dishonorable release after he should get into police custody on Friday.
“He excelled in the army and is now dishonored released. He is defined by this terrible situation involving alcohol and stupidity in a bar,” said Weisberg.
Weisberg said in the short time that Gibson is also committed to no longer drinking, saying that he had not taken glass for a year and a half.
The judge of the Superior Court, Katherine Corrick, gave Gibson a chance to speak to the court before pronouncing her sentence. Gibson got up and turned to the family before apologizing.
“I am deeply sorry. Mr. Sheffield did not deserve to die,” he said, breathing strongly. “This is something with which I have to live for the rest of my life.”
Corrick will pronounce his sentence on June 10.
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