Attempted murder with a firearm
R. v. Hassan
- On release at the time
Sentence and the Crown's position
What the law allows
Liban Hassan pleaded guilty to attempted murder using a firearm after he and a co-accused were paid to kill a man and fired nine shots at him on a busy Vancouver street while he walked with his wife and young children. Crown and defence jointly proposed 10 years less credit for pre-sentence custody. Justice Crossin accepted the joint submission and imposed 10 years in prison, calling hired killings without regard for bystanders deserving of the highest rebuke.
In the judge's words
1[24] The proliferation of handguns, even in this country, continues to be bracing. Paid executioners being hired to kill a perfect stranger, who go about their business without regard to the prospect of collateral damage to blameless bystanders, is deserving of the highest rebuke.
The record
- Convicted of
- Attempted murder with a firearm (CC 239(1)(a.1))
- Prior convictions
- Not recorded
- At the time of the offence
- On bail1
- Defence asked for
- 10 years in custody1
- Appeal
- Not yet checked
- Counsel
- Crown: K. Andani, K.C., L. Pearce
Defence: A. Willox
Sources
- R. v. Hassan, 2023 BCSC 1876 Court decision, CanLII, October 4, 2023
[2] The Crown and defence have made a joint submission regarding a fit and appropriate sentence in this matter. It is proposed a term of incarceration be imposed of 10 years, less credit for the time that both offenders have spent in custody.
[2] The Crown and defence have made a joint submission regarding a fit and appropriate sentence in this matter. It is proposed a term of incarceration be imposed of 10 years, less credit for the time that both offenders have spent in custody.
[27] Mr. Hassan, I sentence you to 10 years in prison.
Indeed, Mr. Hassan was under the terms of a bail order when he committed these offences.
[24] The proliferation of handguns, even in this country, continues to be bracing. Paid executioners being hired to kill a perfect stranger, who go about their business without regard to the prospect of collateral damage to blameless bystanders, is deserving of the highest rebuke.
[27] Mr. Hassan, I sentence you to 10 years in prison. I deduct from that sentence credit for time spent in custody from October 6, 2020, to today. The credit rounded will be 1,640 days. This results in a net sentence to be served of five years and six months.
- R. v. Hassan, 2023 BCSC 1876 Court decision, Courts of British Columbia