N.W.T. man convicted of manslaughter resentenced, has 3 years left to serve
A Hay River, N.W.T., man convicted of killing and robbing someone in 2017 has been resentenced to 11 years in prison.
Because of the time James Thomas has already served in custody, he will remain in prison until early 2027.
Thomas is one of several people who were implicated in the death of Alex Norwegian. Norwegian was attacked, robbed and left injured in a windowless vehicle in –20 C weather on a remote Kátł'odeeche First Nation road, where he died of hypothermia.
Thomas was originally convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole for 10 years.
In April, the N.W.T. Court of Appeal ruled the trial judge had made errors. The appeal judges agreed that leaving Norwegian to die was central to the murder conviction, but said leaving him there — while immoral — wasn't illegal.
They substituted Thomas's murder conviction for manslaughter and ordered him to be resentenced on that conviction.
Monday's sentencing hearing began with Wanda Norwegian, the victim's mother.
Through tears she told the court that it doesn't matter if the sentence is manslaughter or murder, and that Thomas is simply guilty of taking her son's life.
The Crown prosecutor presented similar cases and sentences to the court, including for co-accused Levi Cayen, who is currently serving an 11-year sentence for manslaughter.
The defence lawyer, Ryan Clements, argued for less time due to Thomas's difficult childhood and his struggle with addiction.
Justice Andy Mahar told the court Thomas was the instigator and orchestrated the robbery, ultimately sentencing him to 11 years for manslaughter and 10 years for robbery, which will be served concurrently.
Thomas said in court that he is sorry for the trouble he caused.
Wanda Norwegian told CBC that no sentence could justify what Thomas had done.
