Murderer Will Wait Longer Than Minimum For Parole

By 250 News

23 year old Ricky John Smith will have to wait until 13 years of his life sentence for second degree murder have passed before he can apply for parole.

Mr. Justice Ian Mieklam set that period of parole ineligibility in sentencing Smith for his role in the October 30th, 2004 machete attack on 20 year old Brent Melanson. The young man died after his throat was slashed during an altercation that spilled over to the 1900 block of 3rd Avenue from a house party on 4th Ave.

The judge said in his sentencing decision that he was alarmed at Smith's demeanour during the trial; showing no remorse, and taking no responsibility for his role in the attack on Melanson.

Meiklam cited that factor along with Smith's prior criminal behaviour including an affiliation with the local organized crime group "The Crew", in raising the period of parole ineligibility from the minimum 10 years, to 13. A second degree murder conviction carries an automatic life sentence, but the period before an offender can apply for parole can be set at as many as 25 years.

The sentencing hearing heard a number of emotional victim impact statements read aloud in the courtroom, including one from the mother of Melanson's now four-year-old son. She says she dreads the day when the boy is old enough to hear the story of how his father died.

Court also heard today that Smith himself will become a father in December, a revelation that prompted some of the victim's family members to mutter, "Good."

Some of the crowd in the gallery also shouted, "Thank you!" to the judge as he left the courtroom after rendering his decision.

The judge is set to render his sentencing decision for the other man convicted in Melanson's death tomorrow. The same jury that convicted Smith of second degree murder found Cameron Alexander Miller guilty of manslaughter.

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