Sentences handed down in Barrie catwalk shooting
Sentencing has been handed down to two men who pleaded guilty for their roles in a Barrie catwalk shooting last spring that left the victim fighting for his life.
Timothy White, 22, admitted guilt to aggravated assault and shooting a 45-year-old man in a Letitia Heights neighbourhood on the night of April 22, 2023. He was sentenced to four and a half more years behind bars after being given credit for the year and a half already spent in custody pre-sentencing.
Police had reported the man was shot following an altercation with a group of people. He was rushed to a hospital in Toronto with life-threatening injuries.
White's coaccused, Jayson Espinosa-Bermeo, 22, of Orillia, was also sentenced Monday afternoon after pleading guilty earlier this year to being the getaway driver that night.
Espinosa-Bermeo was taken into custody Monday morning and sat beside White in the prisoner's box. The judge handed Espinosa-Bermeo a 20-month conditional sentence, including house arrest for the first half, for his part in the shooting.
White, whom police said also goes by the name Logan, was also initially charged with several weapons counts. He was on the run for two weeks before being tracked down by police in Hamilton.
Two other individuals accused in the shooting, Curtis Prince and Meghan Steadman, were each granted bail to sureties. The attempted murder charges against both were later withdrawn. It was learned in court that Steadman has since died.
On Monday in the Bradford courtroom, the Crown read a letter written by the now 46-year-old victim, detailing how he was shot three times and left for dead after refusing to hand over money, resulting in an argument with a group of strangers.
He said despite surviving, his life had been ruined that night.
"Everything has been taken away from me," the Crown read to the court.
The victim described in writing nearly dying of sepsis in hospital and being unable to work after suffering life-altering injuries, including having bullet fragments near his spine and a hernia he described as extremely painful.
He told the court he has trouble standing and sitting and said his leg feels like it's on fire.
"There are many days since this happened that I wish I didn't wake up," the victim's statement continued.
The man later interrupted the court, calling Espinosa-Bermeo's conditional sentence "ridiculous."
As part of his sentencing conditions, White was handed a lifetime weapons ban.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi still missing after helicopter accident in mountains
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and other officials apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday, sparking a massive rescue operation in a fog-shrouded forest as the public was urged to pray.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Ottawa driver who appeared to be racing another vehicle on Highway 416 facing charges
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says an Ottawa driver is facing charges after being caught going 187 km/h on Highway 416.
Canadian immigration asks medical worker fleeing Gaza if he treated Hamas fighters
Lawyers are questioning Canada’s approach to screening visa applications for people in Gaza with extended family in Canada after one applicant, a medical worker, was asked whether he had treated members of Hamas.