'Seriously troubled' woman gets 6-year manslaughter sentence for abetting, videoing attack on ex
CBC
A Calgary woman who encouraged and took videos of the fatal beating and stabbing of her recently ex-boyfriend has been handed a six-year sentence for her crime as the judge described the woman as "seriously troubled."
In November, Jordan Smith, 31, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of Marshall Rath, who was killed on Feb. 22, 2022, days after he and Smith had broken up.
Days before the killing, Smith began dating Dominic Hood after connecting with him on an online dating app. According to an agreed statement of facts (ASF), Hood was responsible for the fatal injuries suffered by Rath.
Hood faces a charge of second-degree murder and is set to go on trial next February.
In handing down his sentencing decision, Justice Richard Neufeld acknowledged that Smith's own mother introduced Smith to drugs and sent her child out, "knowing Jordan would make money by providing sex to men."
"Jordan is the product of a horrific childhood and bears its lasting scars," said Neufeld.
"That does not in any way justify or excuse Jordan's role in abetting or videotaping a horrific killing."
Details of the killing come from the ASF presented as part of Smith's plea last November.
On Feb. 21, Smith made a video of herself striking Rath in the face with a chain wrapped around her fist.
She sent that video to a woman who lived in Quebec, described in the ASF as a "cousin."
In the early morning hours of Feb. 22, Hood arrived at the apartment Smith and Rath shared.
The Quebec "cousin" then received a series of messages, photos and calls from Smith who admitted to "photographing the beating of Rath by Hood and thus, encouraging the assaults by Hood."
Nearing the end of the assaults, Smith could be heard telling Hood "it's you I want. I don't care about him… I love you baby."
Soon after, the cousin could hear Smith screaming "there is blood everywhere. I think he is dead."
A Calgary dentist who defrauded five insurance companies over a decade should spend up to three years in prison, the prosecution argued Friday.
B.C. Conservation Officer Service says it has called off its search for a bear responsible for an attack on a group of school children in Bella Coola, B.C. on Nov. 20.
The union president called it a rally for solidarity as Iqaluit Housing Authority employees gathered Friday while negotiations are ongoing between the Nunavut Employees Union and the employer.
The federal government is stoking Quebec separatism by walking back its climate commitments — including in its recent deal with Alberta — Liberal MP and former cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault says.
Four more Alberta MLAs are facing recall petitions organized by their constituents, including the first NDP representative to be caught in the province's ongoing wave of recall efforts.
Frank Gehry, the Canadian-born renegade architect behind some of the world's most recognizable buildings, has died at 96.
Hundreds of P.E.I. parents can't find child-care spaces, especially for infants. The provincial government says expanding those spots remains a top priority — and it recognizes the concern.
An Alberta judge says a referendum proposal on Alberta separating from Canada goes against Charter and and Treaty rights, in a decision given less than 24 hours after the provincial government introduced legislation that would have ended the court proceeding.
The architect of Alberta's politician recall legislation says it was never meant to be used as a political weapon, but as an "ultimate tool of accountability" if a politician engages in illegal or unethical behaviour.
The Government of Saskatchewan has introduced its long-promised involuntary treatment legislation on the final day of the fall sitting.
The Law Society of Ontario has suspended the licence of Deepak Paradkar, one of seven Canadians arrested in connection with alleged drug lord Ryan Wedding’s cocaine smuggling ring.
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is getting rid of unlimited mental health benefits for staff, blaming ballooning costs and former administrators for implementing it without proper due diligence or oversight.
Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery's TV and film studios and streaming division for $72 billion US, a deal that would hand control of one of Hollywood's most prized and oldest assets to the streaming pioneer that has upended the media industry.