R. v. Foster (D.B.), [2004] N.B.R.(2d) (Supp.) No. 57 (TD)

• Judge: Glennie, J.
• Court: Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick (Canada)
• Case Date: June 29, 2004
• Jurisdiction: New Brunswick
• Citations: [2004] N.B.R.(2d) (Supp.) No. 57 (TD);2004 NBQB 316

R. v. Foster (D.B.), [2004] N.B.R.(2d) (Supp.) No. 57 (TD)

MLB headnote and full text

Sommaire et texte intégral

[English language version only]

[Version en langue anglaise seulement]

Temp. Cite: [2004] N.B.R.(2d) (Supp.) TBEd. SE.009

Renvoi temp.: [2004] N.B.R.(2d) (Supp.) TBEd. SE.009

Her Majesty The Queen v. Douglas Bruce Foster

(S/CR/22/03; 2004 NBQB 316; 2004 NBBR 316)

Indexed As: R. v. Foster (D.B.)

Répertorié: R. v. Foster (D.B.)

New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench

Trial Division

Judicial District of Saint John

Glennie, J.

June 29, 2004.

Summary:

Résumé:

The 53 year old accused shot and killed his wife of over 33 years. Although charged with second degree murder, he was con­victed by a jury of manslaughter.

The New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench, Trial Division, sentenced the accused to 10 years' imprisonment.

Criminal Law - Topic 5831.9

Sentencing - Considerations on imposing sentence - Domestic violence - [See Cri­minal Law - Topic 5882 ].

Criminal Law - Topic 5848.7

Sentencing - Considerations on imposing sentence - Denunciation or repudiation of conduct - [See Criminal Law - Topic 5882 ].

Criminal Law - Topic 5882

Sentence - Manslaughter - The 53 year old accused shot and killed his wife of over 33 years - Although charged with second degree murder, he was convicted by a jury of manslaughter - The accused was an alcoholic - No criminal record - The mar­riage was unhappy and confrontational - The accused had multiple sclerosis and heart problems - His leg was amputated and he was confined to a wheelchair - The accused alleged that he did not recall shooting his wife; he intended to shoot a picture off the wall - The accused never denied responsibility and was extremely remorseful - Denunciation and deterrence were important sentencing objectives, particularly in case of domestic homicide - There was no provocation by the wife - The New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench, Trial Division, held that a sentence of 10 years' imprisonment reflected the increasing societal denunciation of spousal violence and the accused's significant moral culpability.

Droit criminel - Cote 5831.9

Détermination de la peine - Factuers con­sidérés - Violence en milieu familial - [Voir Crimi­nal Law - Topic 5831.9 ].

Droit criminel - Cote 5848.7

Détermination de la peine - Facteurs con­sidérés - Dénonciation ou répudiation de la conduite - [Voir Cri­minal Law - Topic 5848.7 ].

Droit criminel - Cote 5882

Peine - Homicide involontaire coupable - [Voir Criminal Law - Topic 5882 ].

Cases Noticed:

R. v. Khosa (S.S.) et al. (2003), 190 B.C.A.C. 42; 311 W.A.C. 42; 2003 BCCA 645, refd to. [para. 27].

R. v. Bhalru - see R. v. Khosa (S.S.) et al.

R. v. Creighton (1993), 157 N.R. 1; 65 O.A.C. 321; 83 C.C.C.(3d) 346 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 28].

R. v. Martineau (1990), 112 N.R. 83; 109 A.R. 321; 58 C.C.C.(3d) 353 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 28].

R. v. Bill (L.D.), [1997] B.C.T.C. Uned. J23; 1997 CarswellBC 2923 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 31].

R. v. Simonson (1983), 43 N.B.R.(2d) 617; 113 A.P.R. 617; 1982 CarswellNB 144 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 32].

R. v. Stone (B.T.), [1999] 2 S.C.R. 290; 239 N.R. 201; 123 B.C.A.C. 1; 201 W.A.C. 1, refd to. [para. 39].

R. v. Zimmer (1991), 89 Sask.R. 281; 63 C.C.C.(3d) 61 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 43].

R. v. Lemay (1998), 127 C.C.C.(3d) 528 (Que. C.A.), refd to. [para. 44].

R. v. Gagne (1990), 27 Q.A.C. 361 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 47].

R. v. Wood (1989), 29 O.A.C. 99; 43 C.C.C.(3d) 570 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 47].

R. v. Toye (1988), 6 W.C.B.(2d) 219 (Ont. C.A.), refd to. [para. 47].

R. v. Donaldson (1987), 23 O.A.C. 361 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 47].

R. v. Rawn (1990), 38 O.A.C. 131 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 47].

R. v. Woermann (C.B.) (1992), 81 Man.R.(2d) 255; 30 W.A.C. 255 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 47].

R. v. Pearson (D.H.), [2002] N.B.R.(2d) (Supp.) No. 49 (T.D.), refd to. [para. 50].

Authors and Works Noticed:

Manson, Allan, The Law of Sentencing (2001), p. 308 [para. 29].

Nadin-Davis, R. Paul, Sentencing in Canada (1982), pp. 256, 257 [para. 36].

Counsel:

James R. McAvity and Kelly A. Winchester, for the Crown;

John P. King, Q.C., for Douglas Bruce Foster.

This matter was heard on June 29, 2004, before Glennie, J., of the New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench, Trial Division, Judicial District of Saint John, who delivered the following judgment orally on June 29, 2004.