Victim killed by 'a monster who she loved,' best friend says at sentencing hearing
CBC
The mother of a young Calgary woman murdered nearly 20 years ago says she struggled to "emotionally survive" the trial, which ended with the victim's boyfriend being convicted of second-degree murder.
In 2002, Stéphane Parent fractured Adrienne McColl's skull before he strangled her.
Within hours, he fled Calgary on a one-way ticket and lived in the Ottawa area until the cold case was revived by new DNA evidence in 2018 and a charge of second-degree murder was laid.
Last month, Parent was found guilty of murdering McColl on Valentine's Day 2002.
Parent was supposed to be sentenced Monday but he fired his lawyers, and after initially declining one, opted to ask for a pre-sentence report.
"This is all bullshit," Parent told the judge.
The case will be back in court in the new year, so the sentencing hearing can proceed. A second-degree murder conviction comes with a life sentence with no parole for between 10 to 25 years.
Court of Queen's Bench Justice Charlene Anderson proceeded Monday with having victim impact statements read from McColl's parents and her best friend.
The victim's father, Blair McColl, says his son Jason was so devastated by his sister's death that he turned to alcohol.
Jason died in September 2020 after a long battle with his addiction.
"I've lost both my children to this," said Blair McColl.
"If Adrienne had not been killed, Jason would be with me now. His pain was just too much."
McColl's mother said she was unable to attend the trial because of the trauma it forced her to relive.
"The wound of her death was ripped wide open," said Thelma Trudeau.
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