Laylin Delorme found guilty of 1st-degree murder in Edmonton Mac's killings
A jury Friday found Laylin Delorme guilty on two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of armed robbery in the killing of Mac's convenience store clerks Karanpal Bhangu and Ricky Cenabre.
First-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence with no possibility of parole for 25 years.
The jury returned its verdict after beginning deliberations Thursday afternoon.
Delorme was quiet and hung his head while the verdict was read in court.
As he was taken away, he apologized to his family. His mother broke down in tears.
Court of Queen's Bench Justice Robert Graesser will decide whether Delorme will serve 25 or 50 years without a chance of parole.
Graesser, who will have the final say on sentencing, asked members of the jury to submit recommendations.
Three jurors called for concurrent sentences and two others for consecutive sentences. Seven jurors didn't make recommendations.
Defence lawyer Naeem Rauf told reporters outside the courthouse that consecutive sentences would constitute cruel punishment.
"We shouldn't judge people by the worst thing they've ever done in their lives," said Rauf.
"I think there's great hope for him and to give him a 50-year or 30-year [term] is really discouraging, and in my opinion, it's cruel."
Sentencing will likely happen in the fall, once the reports ordered by the court are completed. A Gladue report has been ordered, which will look into Delorme's Indigenous background.
Delorme's difficult childhood will be considered during sentencing, said Rauf.
"I think it's a lesson for society, that tragic childhoods have tragic consequences."
Bhangu and Cenabre were shot to death Dec. 18, 2015, in separate robberies 40 minutes apart.
Delorme had admitted that he fired the shot that killed Bhangu during the first robbery in the early hours of Dec. 18.
The jury had to consider that Delorme was not the shooter in Cenabre's murder. Court was told that Colton Steinhauer pulled the trigger.
Steinhauer and a youth who cannot be identified are charged with the same offences as Delorme.
Defence lawyer Naeem Rauf had argued that Delorme should not be held responsible for the second murder, because there was no evidence the killing had been planned.
Graesser instructed the jury to consider whether Delorme helped Steinhauer and knew that he intended to kill Cenabre.
Prosecutor John Watson had argued that Delorme aided Steinhauer by providing him with the handgun.
