Second degree murder
R. v. Pinsky
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
Jonathan Pinsky pleaded guilty to the second degree murder of his mother, whom he beat and stabbed during a domestic dispute in Halifax in October 2024. Second degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence, and the Crown and defence jointly recommended parole ineligibility of ten years. Justice Arnold accepted the joint recommendation and set parole ineligibility at ten years, citing his pro-social background, lack of a criminal record and the spontaneous, out-of-character nature of the attack.
In the judge's words
1The disposition being jointly recommended for Mr. Pinsky is the result of a true negotiated plea, is within the range for similar offenders having their parole ineligibility determined on a charge of second degree murder, and is in accordance with the “general rule” as set out by the Supreme Court of Canada in Anthony-Cook.
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 10 years1
- Mandatory minimum
- Applied1
- Appeal
- Not yet checked
- Counsel
- Crown: Stephen Anstey and Samantha Allen
Defence: Brian Bailey
Sources
- R. v. Pinsky, 2025 NSSC 226 Court decision, CanLII, July 2, 2025
[20] The Crown and defence have agreed to a joint recommendation of life in prison, with parole ineligibility set at ten years.
[20] The Crown and defence have agreed to a joint recommendation of life in prison, with parole ineligibility set at ten years.
[4] The Criminal Code, R.S.C., 1985, c. C-46 (the “Code”), sets out the punishment for murder. … (2) For the purposes of Part XXIII, the sentence of imprisonment for life prescribed by this section is a minimum punishment.
[1] Jonathan William Pinsky pleaded guilty to the second degree murder of his mother
[13] Mr. Pinsky has no criminal record.
[21] The disposition being jointly recommended for Mr. Pinsky is the result of a true negotiated plea, is within the range for similar offenders having their parole ineligibility determined on a charge of second degree murder, and is in accordance with the “general rule” as set out by the Supreme Court of Canada in Anthony-Cook.
[27] Considering the facts of the murder, Mr. Pinsky’s character, lack of criminal record, background, and the range of ineligibility determined in similar cases, as jointly recommended between Crown and defence, I set Mr. Pinsky’s parole ineligibility at ten years.
- R. v. Pinsky, 2025 NSSC 226 Court decision, Courts of Nova Scotia