Second degree murder
R. v. Howe
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
Alexander Charles Howe pleaded guilty to second degree murder for stabbing the victim to death at a party at his home in Spryfield, Halifax, in August 2023 while under the influence of cocaine and alcohol. The Crown and defence jointly recommended life imprisonment with parole ineligibility of ten years. Justice Arnold accepted the joint recommendation, finding it the result of a true negotiated plea and within the range for similar offenders.
In the judge's words
1The imposition of life imprisonment already carries with it a significant element of denunciation and deterrence. Mr. Howe may never be released on parole. He might spend the rest of his life in prison. However, the National Parole Board might eventually determine that he can return to society.
The record
- Convicted of
- Second degree murder (CC 231(7))
- Prior convictions
- Not recorded
- 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: Sean McCarroll, Michael Berrigan
Defence: Zeb Brown
Sources
- R. v. Howe, 2025 NSSC 362 Court decision, CanLII, November 17, 2025
[30] As noted, the Crown and defence are jointly recommending that in relation to Mr. Howe’s sentence of life in prison, his parole ineligibility be set at ten years.
[30] As noted, the Crown and defence are jointly recommending that in relation to Mr. Howe’s sentence of life in prison, his parole ineligibility be set at ten years.
235(1) Everyone who commits first-degree murder or second-degree murder is guilty of an indictable offence and shall be sentenced to imprisonment for life. (2) For the purposes of Part XXIII, the sentence of imprisonment for life prescribed by this section is a minimum punishment.
[1] Following lengthy negotiations between the Crown and defence, Alexander Charles Howe pleaded guilty to the second degree murder of
[34] The imposition of life imprisonment already carries with it a significant element of denunciation and deterrence. Mr. Howe may never be released on parole. He might spend the rest of his life in prison. However, the National Parole Board might eventually determine that he can return to society.
[35] Considering the facts of the murder, Mr. Howe’s character, criminal record, background, pre-trial custody, and the range of ineligibility determined in similar cases, as jointly recommended between Crown and defence, I set Mr. Howe’s parole ineligibility at ten years. That is, he must serve ten years before he can apply for parole.
- R. v. Howe, 2025 NSSC 362 Court decision, Courts of Nova Scotia