B.C. judge rules Abbotsford killers' Charter rights were breached
A B.C. Supreme Court judge has ruled that the mandatory 25-year parole ineligibility for three convicted murderers violates their Charter rights. The decision delays the sentencing hearing to February, sparking frustration among the victims' families.
Why it matters
The ruling challenges the constitutionality of Canadian sentencing laws regarding parole eligibility for multiple murders.
“We were expecting them to be sentenced, and we're wondering how long this is going to carry on,” said Helen Leusink, Joanne's sister, on Monday.
“It's like a rolling ball that will never quit.”
Khushveer Toor, Abhijeet Singh and Gurkaran Singh — each in their 20s — all face mandatory life sentences for killing the De Jongs in their Abbotsford home in May 2022.
The men's defence lawyers made a Charter challenge last month related to the "faint hope" clause in the Criminal Code, which allows convicted murderers to apply for earlier parole after serving 15 years in prison, instead of 25.
Helen Leusink, sister of Joanne De Jong, said she was expecting the three men who killed her sibling would be sentenced on Monday. But a Supreme Court judge has weighed in and ruled the men's Charter rights were breached, pushing their sentencing hearing to February. (Kier Junos/CBC)
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