Cora Laich, clutching a photo of husband Simon Grant, speaks to reporters outside La Ronge courthouse. Photo by Dallas Hicks.
A 19-year-old man has been handed a seven-year prison sentence for his role in the killing of La Ronge restaurant owner Simon Grant earlier this year.
With credit for time spent in remand factored in, Austin Bird’s sentence amounts to six years, 114 days.
The Crown was seeking an eight-year sentence, while the defence wanted five years.
Judge Sid Robinson handed down the sentence this afternoon in La Ronge Provincial Court.
Bird pleaded guilty to manslaughter last month.
Grant’s widow, Cora Laich, spoke with the media outside of the court today.
She says she has mixed feelings about the sentence handed down.
“I have to say that it meant a lot to me that he pled guilty and he stood up for what he did,” she says. “I don’t say that I agree totally with the sentence.”
Laich no longer lives in La Ronge, but says she feels it is important for her to travel to attend the court proceedings.
“It feels okay to come back because of the support I have here and knowing Simon would want me to be here”, she says.”
Three other males facing charges in connection to Grant’s death still have their matters before the courts.
An interim publication ban on details related to the case is still in effect.
Matters related to the publication ban will be heard in La Ronge on October 27.