Manslaughter
R. v. Short
- Below the Crown's ask
Sentence and the Crown's position
Crown asked8 years in custody1
Judge imposed7.5 years in custody, less 693 days credit for pre-sentence custody1
185 days less custody than the Crown asked
What the law allows
MaximumLife imprisonment
Crown asked8 years in custody
Judge imposed7 years and 6 months in custody
Defence asked6 years in custody
Nelson Adam Short pleaded guilty to manslaughter for stabbing the victim three times after travelling to his home armed with a large knife following an argument by video call. The Crown sought eight to nine years; the defence sought six to seven years. Justice Coval imposed 7.5 years, less 693 days of credit for pre-sentence custody, finding the case most resembled others in the seven to eight-year range.
In the judge's words
1In my view, a sentence of 7.5 years is suitable for the denunciation and deterrence of such a serious crime while also reflecting the parity principle.
The record
- Convicted of
- Manslaughter (CC 236)
- Prior convictions
- Not recorded
- At the time of the offence
- Not stated1
- Defence asked for
- 6 years in custody1
- Appeal
- Not yet checked
- Counsel
- Crown: T.A. Livingston, F. Radan
Defence: J.J. Saulnier
Sources
- R. v. Short, 2026 BCSC 1903 Court decision, CanLII, August 28, 2026
[2] The Crown seeks a sentence of eight to nine years whereas defence argues for six to seven years.
[2] The Crown seeks a sentence of eight to nine years whereas defence argues for six to seven years.
[25] Manslaughter has a maximum life sentence and no minimum.
[1] THE COURT: Mr. Nelson Short has pleaded guilty to manslaughter of Frank James on August 24, 2022, by stabbing him without the intent to kill or cause bodily harm.
[45] In my view, a sentence of 7.5 years is suitable for the denunciation and deterrence of such a serious crime while also reflecting the parity principle.
[47] Mr. Short, you are sentenced to a jail term of 7.5 years. … [59] THE COURT: Thank you very much for doing that. Yes, so I will make that part of that earlier order, please, Madam Registrar, that the one-and-a-half days for each day in custody results in a total credit of 693 days.
- R. v. Short, 2026 BCSC 1903 Court decision, Courts of British Columbia