Second degree murder
R. v. White
Sentence and the Crown's position
Both are life sentences, so the bars compare how long before parole can be considered.
What the law allows
Brent Steven White was found guilty after trial of second degree murder for the fatal stabbing of a 77-year-old man in his home in Vancouver's Tatlow Park in December 2021. The Crown and defence jointly submitted that parole ineligibility should be set at 12 years. Justice Maisonville imposed the mandatory life sentence with no parole eligibility for 12 years, finding that the prolonged and brutal nature of the attack made the 10-year minimum inappropriate.
In the judge's words
1After carefully considering all the circumstances and the purpose and principles of sentencing, I find, in the circumstances, given the prolonged brutal nature of the attack that parole ineligibility of ten years would not be appropriate and that parole ineligibility period of 12 years would properly reflect the principles of sentencing, including denunciation and deterrence.
The record
- Convicted of
- Second degree murder (CC 231(7))
- Prior convictions
- 0 prior convictions1
- At the time of the offence
- Not stated1
- Defence asked for
- Life, no parole for 12 years1
- Mandatory minimum
- Applied1
- Appeal
- Not yet checked
- Counsel
- Crown: C.J. Smith, C. Mackenzie
Defence: B.R. Anderson, C. Doherty
Sources
- R. v. White, 2025 BCSC 1448 Court decision, CanLII, July 16, 2025
[3] The Crown and defence come before the Court with a joint submission that the appropriate ineligibility for parole should be 12 years.
[3] The Crown and defence come before the Court with a joint submission that the appropriate ineligibility for parole should be 12 years.
[59] Pursuant to s. 235(1) of the Criminal Code, I sentence you to the mandatory minimum sentence of life imprisonment.
[14] As noted, on May 9, 2025, Brent White was found guilty of the second degree murder of
[24] Mr. White is before the court with no criminal record.
[51] After carefully considering all the circumstances and the purpose and principles of sentencing, I find, in the circumstances, given the prolonged brutal nature of the attack that parole ineligibility of ten years would not be appropriate and that parole ineligibility period of 12 years would properly reflect the principles of sentencing, including denunciation and deterrence.
[59] Pursuant to s. 235(1) of the Criminal Code, I sentence you to the mandatory minimum sentence of life imprisonment. … [60] Under s. 745.4 of the Criminal Code, I order that your sentence of imprisonment be served without eligibility for a parole until you have served at least 12 years of your sentence.
- R. v. White, 2025 BCSC 1448 Court decision, Courts of British Columbia