The legal proceedings in the death of Owen Sound restaurant owner Sharif Rahman concluded Friday, as the man guilty of killing him was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison.
Robert Evans Jr. plead guilty to manslaughter charges back on June 5. At the time, both the Crown and defence presented a joint submission on a sentence of 42 months, or 1,277 days.
Justice Christopher Chorney read his sentence in Owen Sound court on Friday morning, saying he did not find any reason that the proposed sentence would bring the administrations of justice into disrepute.
"Many people, particularly those who are not well apprised of the facts of this case will say the sentence is too lenient, especially when it involves a crime that resulted in someone's death. That is why it's important for me to explain why the sentence suggested is appropriate in this case," he told the court.
Justice Chorney went on to restate the facts of the case, then explained the mental element of manslaughter, noting that Evans Jr. only had intent to assault him and that it was a tragic situation of a "one-punch" death.
He cited past cases of manslaughter in which one impulsive punch was thrown, and suggested sentences ranged from two to six years.
Justice Chorney noted the case was aggravated by the fact that Evans Jr. fled authorities back to the United Kingdom. He also had previously been convicted of battery.
However, he also gave Evans Jr. credit for pleading guilty to save Rahman's family and the community from a lengthy trial. Justice Chorney said the apology Evans Jr. read in court was sincere and that he will carry the guilt with him for the rest of his life.
Evans Jr. was given credit for pre-sentence custody equaling 1,065 days, meaning there are 212 days, or around seven months, remaining on his sentence.
Once completed, he will be taken into custody by the Canada Border Services Agency to face deportation.
He will also be subject to a DNA order and a lifetime weapons prohibition.
