Second Sentence in Machete Attack

By 250 News

 A 21 year old Prince George man will serve another four years in prison for his part in a fatal machete attack on another young city man in the fall of 2004.

Cameron Alexander Miller was sentenced today after being found guilty of manslaughter in the October 2004 death of Brent Melanson. The 20 year old died after his throat was slashed with a machete blade in an altercation in the 1900-block of 3^rd Avenue. The fight had spilled over from a nearby house party.

Miller choked back tears as he stood in court Friday morning to read a short statement before the sentence was passed. “I am speaking today to express my heartfelt sorrow,” said Miller in a quiet voice, prompting the judge to as him to speak up. “I was going to ask for forgiveness”, he added, “but how can I ask for forgiveness when I can't forgive myself?”

The judge said the remorse and responsibility shown by Miller was a mitigating factor in sentencing but added a prior criminal record including gang activity were aggravating factors.

The judge added Miller's level of culpability in Melanson's death escalated when he blocked the passenger door of the young man's vehicle and prevented him from escaping the attack by the man convicted of second degree murder in the case, 23 year old Ricky Smith.

Smith was sentenced yesterday, and will serve 13 years of the mandatory life sentence before he becomes eligible to apply for parole.

Miller's sentence is in fact 6 years but with credit for time served he will spend another four in custody. The judge did not order a period of probation to follow his release, but did ban Miller from possessing firearms for a period of 10 years, and gave him a lifetime prohibition from possessing restricted weapons of any kind.

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