Overview
- Prosecutors said new police evidence prompted the escalation from second-degree to first-degree murder.
- A dangerous-driving causing bodily harm charge tied to a second victim was also laid in connection with the day of the attack.
- He was convicted July 4 of choking and uttering threats and was released on $500 bail hours before the alleged hammer killing in a Kelowna parking lot.
- At a sentencing hearing on the earlier convictions, the Crown requested 16 to 18 months less 206 days served, while the defence argued for nine months.
- A first-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence with no parole eligibility for 25 years.