R. v. Tarr (J.F.), (2009) 274 N.S.R.(2d) 123 (PC)

• Judge: Derrick, P.C.J.
• Court: Provincial Court of Nova Scotia (Canada)
• Case Date: January 12, 2009
• Jurisdiction: Nova Scotia
• Citations: (2009), 274 N.S.R.(2d) 123 (PC);2009 NSPC 2

R. v. Tarr (J.F.) (2009), 274 N.S.R.(2d) 123 (PC);

    874 A.P.R. 123

MLB headnote and full text

Temp. Cite: [2009] N.S.R.(2d) TBEd. JA.049

Her Majesty The Queen v. James Franklin Tarr

(1617887; 1617890; 2009 NSPC 2)

Indexed As: R. v. Tarr (J.F.)

Nova Scotia Provincial Court

Derrick, P.C.J.

January 15, 2009.

Summary:

In February 2006, the 18 year old accused brutally attacked two victims with a knife and tire iron, causing significant injuries requiring surgery. One victim had a knife embedded in his side and multiple blunt trauma wounds to his head caused by the tire iron. The other victim had blunt trauma scalp wounds, a broken right arm with an open wound and two fractured fingers. The accused pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated assault.

The Nova Scotia Provincial Court sentenced the accused to 36 months' imprisonment on one count and 24 months' imprisonment (concurrent) on the second.

Criminal Law - Topic 5832

Sentencing - Considerations on imposing sentence - Rehabilitation - [See Criminal Law - Topic 5938 ].

Criminal Law - Topic 5834.7

Sentencing - Considerations on imposing sentence - Mental illness or disorder - [See Criminal Law - Topic 5938 ].

Criminal Law - Topic 5841

Sentencing - Considerations on imposing sentence - Age of accused - [See Criminal Law - Topic 5938 ].

Criminal Law - Topic 5938

Sentence - Aggravated assault - In February 2006, the 18 year old accused brutally attacked two victims with a knife and tire iron, causing significant injuries requiring surgery - One victim had a knife embedded in his side and multiple blunt trauma wounds to his head caused by the tire iron - The other victim had blunt trauma scalp wounds, a broken right arm with an open wound and two fractured fingers - The accused pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated assault - In the three years since the assaults, the now 21 year old accused had taken positive steps to address his serious mental health and substance abuse issues - He complied with strict release conditions, including over one year of house arrest - The Crown and accused agreed that although specific deterrence was unnecessary and rehabilitation was underway, denunciation and general deterrence for such a brutal attack required a federal term of imprisonment - The accused sought two years' imprisonment - The Crown sought 4-5 years' imprisonment - The Nova Scotia Provincial Court sentenced the accused to 36 months' imprisonment for one assault and 24 months' imprisonment (concurrent) for the second - Two years was not sufficient, even in light of the mitigating factors of the accused's young age, rehabilitation efforts and his lack of a prior criminal record - Conversely, the Crown's proposed sentence was excessive in light of those same mitigating factors.

Cases Noticed:

R. v. L.M. (2008), 374 N.R. 351 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 12].

R. v. C.A.M. (1996), 194 N.R. 321; 73 B.C.A.C. 81; 120 W.A.C. 81 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 13].

R. v. Proulx (J.K.D.), [2000] 1 S.C.R. 61; 249 N.R. 201; 142 Man.R.(2d) 161; 212 W.A.C. 161, refd to. [para. 13].

R. v. Muise (D.R.) (No. 4) (1994), 135 N.S.R.(2d) 81; 386 A.P.R. 81; 94 C.C.C.(3d) 119 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 15].

R. v. Kagan (P.D.) (2008), 261 N.S.R.(2d) 168; 835 A.P.R. 168 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 27].

R. v. Kagan (P.D.) (2007), 261 N.S.R.(2d) 285; 835 A.P.R. 285 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 27].

R. v. Stone (B.T.) (1999), 239 N.R. 201; 123 B.C.A.C. 1; 201 W.A.C. 1 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 29].

R. v. Butler (D.A.) (2008), 270 N.S.R.(2d) 225; 865 A.P.R. 225 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 31].

R. v. Riley (K.) (1996), 150 N.S.R.(2d) 390; 436 A.P.R. 390 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 31].

R. v. Dick, [2008] Y.J. No. 5 (Terr. Ct.), refd to. [para. 36].

R. v. Rushton (C.W.) (2005), 240 N.S.R.(2d) 83; 763 A.P.R. 83 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 36].

R. v. Herzog (D.M.) (2004), 190 Man.R.(2d) 262; 335 W.A.C. 262 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 36].

R. v. Withrow (G.R.) (2008), 265 N.S.R.(2d) 269; 848 A.P.R. 269 (Prov. Ct.), refd to. [para. 36].

R. v. Marsman (C.M.) (2007), 254 N.S.R.(2d) 374; 810 A.P.R. 374 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 36].

R. v. Blackmore (S.R.) (1999), 182 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 174; 554 A.P.R. 174 (P.E.I.C.A.), refd to. [para. 36].

R. v. Ashley (D.D.) (2008), 262 N.S.R.(2d) 318; 839 A.P.R. 318 (Prov. Ct.), refd to. [para. 36].

R. v. Wright (C.), 2004 NSSC 278, refd to. [para. 38].

R. v. S.F.A. (2001), 190 N.S.R.(2d) 240; 594 A.P.R. 240 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 38].

R. v. Bratzer (J.T.) (2001), 198 N.S.R.(2d) 303; 621 A.P.R. 303 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 41].

R. v. Izzard (W.) (1995), 148 N.S.R.(2d) 35; 429 A.P.R. 35 (Prov. Ct.), refd to. [para. 44].

R. v. Colley (1991), 100 N.S.R.(2d) 447; 272 A.P.R. 447 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 44].

R. v. Priest (J.) (1996), 93 O.A.C. 163 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 44].

Authors and Works Noticed:

Ruby, Clayton C., Sentencing (4th Ed. 1994), p. 204 [para. 31].

Counsel:

John MacDonald, for the Crown;

David Iannetti, for the accused.

This matter was heard on January 12, 2009, before Derrick, P.C.J., of the Nova Scotia Provincial Court, who delivered the following judgment on January 15, 2009.