An Ontario judge advised a teenage girl convicted of manslaughter in a fatal swarming attack on a homeless man in Toronto not to downplay the events of that night as he handed down her probation sentence. Justice Philip Campbell of the Ontario Superior Court emphasized the importance of the girl being open and honest about her role in the attack that resulted in the death of Kenneth Lee and to always remember him as time passes.
During a court appearance earlier in the week, the judge noted the girl’s evident remorse as she emotionally apologized for her actions. He underscored the significance of her acknowledging the pain endured by Lee’s loved ones and urged her to try to empathize with their suffering.
Campbell sentenced the girl to three years, the maximum sentence available for manslaughter in a youth case, with credit for 20 months served in custody. The calculation also considered the violation of her constitutional rights due to four strip searches she underwent in youth facilities. A significant portion of her 16-month probation will involve participation in an intensive support and supervision program.
The girl was part of a group of eight teenagers who attacked Kenneth Lee in a Toronto parkette in December 2022, resulting in his death after emergency surgery. While initially facing second-degree murder charges, seven of the teens, including the girl, pleaded guilty to lesser charges, such as manslaughter and assault.
The sentencing of the girl marks the conclusion of a complex legal case described by prosecutors as exceptional in terms of youth prosecution. The legal proceedings involved plea agreements and trials for the individuals involved in the attack. Challenges were raised regarding the constitutionality of strip searches conducted on the accused girls during their time in custody.
Both the defense and Crown attorneys acknowledged the girl’s positive progress since her arrest and her commitment to personal growth. The prosecution initially considered a custodial sentence but later advocated for probation with intensive supervision, while the defense sought a shorter probation period.
In her statement to the court, the girl expressed deep remorse for her actions, accepting full responsibility and demonstrating a willingness to change for the better. The trial highlighted security footage capturing the attack, with prosecutors alleging that the girl inflicted the fatal wound on Lee. However, the defense argued against conclusive evidence linking her to the stabbing.
The forensic evidence presented in court indicated that Lee succumbed to hemorrhagic shock from a stab wound to the heart. Despite the tragic outcome, the judge ruled that the prosecution did not establish beyond a reasonable doubt the girl’s direct responsibility for the fatal injury or her intent to commit murder.