R. v. Simms (S.), 2007 NSSC 49

• Judge: Robertson, J.
• Court: Supreme Court of Nova Scotia (Canada)
• Case Date: February 05, 2007
• Jurisdiction: Nova Scotia
• Citations: 2007 NSSC 49;(2007), 251 N.S.R.(2d) 198 (SC)

R. v. Simms (S.) (2007), 251 N.S.R.(2d) 198 (SC);

    802 A.P.R. 198

MLB headnote and full text

Temp. Cite: [2007] N.S.R.(2d) TBEd. FE.035

Her Majesty The Queen v. Shaun Simms

(CRH 268717; 2007 NSSC 49)

Indexed As: R. v. Simms (S.)

Nova Scotia Supreme Court

Robertson, J.

February 5, 2007.

Summary:

An accused charged with murder pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The accused viciously beat the victim, who died three weeks later from the head injuries he suffered.

The Nova Scotia Supreme Court sentenced the accused to eight years' imprisonment, less 34 months' credit for 17 months of pre-trial custody.

Criminal Law - Topic 5882

Sentence - Manslaughter - The 22 year old accused, involved in a dispute with the victim, viciously beat the victim as he lay prone on a bed in the dark - The victim died three weeks later as a result of his head injuries - The accused was brought up in an abusive home, where alcohol and abuse were the norm - The accused started drinking and using drugs at age 15 and only completed grade nine - He had a youth record, but no adult convictions - Although charged with murder, the accused pleaded guilty to manslaughter - The Nova Scotia Supreme Court stated that, absent exceptional circumstances, the range of sentences was generally 4-10 years' imprisonment - This was a case of near murder - Deterrence was needed - The court sentenced the accused to eight years' imprisonment, less 34 months' credit for 17 months of pre-trial custody.

Cases Noticed:

R. v. McDow (G.A.) (1996), 147 N.S.R.(2d) 343; 426 A.P.R. 343 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 4].

R. v. Perlin (1978), 23 N.S.R.(2d) 66; 32 A.P.R. 66 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 4].

R. v. Myette (1985), 67 N.S.R.(2d) 154; 155 A.P.R. 154 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 4].

R. v. Lawrence (N.A.) (1999), 172 N.S.R.(2d) 375; 524 A.P.R. 375 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 4].

R. v. Devaney (P.) (2006), 215 O.A.C. 253 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 4].

R. v. Black (C.V.) (1989), 94 N.S.R.(2d) 59; 247 A.P.R. 59 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 4].

R. v. Clarke (T.) (2003), 172 O.A.C. 133 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 4].

R. v. Garrison (R.) (1999), 125 O.A.C. 260 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 4].

R. v. Wood (1988), 29 O.A.C. 99; 43 C.C.C.(3d) 570 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 4].

R. v. McNeil (J.B.) (1998), 168 N.S.R.(2d) 59; 505 A.P.R. 59 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 4].

R. v. Crowell (M.), [2005] N.S.R.(2d) Uned. 100 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 4].

R. v. Graham, [1997] N.S.J. No. 139, refd to. [para. 4].

R. v. Toon (S.D.) (2006), 394 A.R. 363 (Q.B.), varied (2006), 401 A.R. 1; 391 W.A.C. 1 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 4].

R. v. King (D.W) (1999), 180 N.S.R.(2d) 36; 557 A.P.R. 36 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 4].

R. v. White, [2001] N.S.J. No. 433, refd to. [para. 4].

R. v. Whynot (B.R.) (1996), 147 N.S.R.(2d) 111; 426 A.P.R. 111 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 4].

R. v. Williams (1984), 64 N.S.R.(2d) 47; 143 A.P.R. 47 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 4].

Counsel:

J. Christopher Nicholson and Catherine A. Cogswell, for the Crown;

Warren Keith Zimmer, for the accused.

This case was heard on February 5, 2007, at Halifax, N.S., before Robertson, J., of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court, who delivered the following judgment orally on February 5, 2007, and filed in writing on February 14, 2007.