Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Life sentence for gang member who killed leader

A Winnipeg gang member who killed a leader of his criminal organization while they were behind bars at Stony Mountain penitentiary has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 15 years.

Raymond Chartrand, 30, was convicted in May of second-degree murder. Jurors heard several weeks of evidence but needed less than five hours of deliberations to reach their verdict.

He faced a mandatory life penalty with no chance of parole for at least 10 years. But Crown attorney Brent Davidson asked Queen’s Bench Justice Colleen Suche to use her discretion and raise parole eligibility to the maximum of 25 years.

Suche raised the parole eligibility to 15 years.

The case involved the May 2006 death of Sheldon McKay, a two-time convicted killer who was a prominent member of the Indian Posse.

Chartrand and four other co-accused were arrested in 2009 following a lengthy police investigation. The Crown called several gang members and former inmates to testify against Chartrand, including a man who claims he stood guard and watched as the attack occurred.

Jurors clearly believed the evidence of Jeffrey Bruyere, a co-accused who wasn't offered any deal in exchange for his testimony. Bruyere claimed an internal gang decision was made to kill McKay because of increasing concerns about his ability to run the gang.

McKay, 30, was discovered dead in his cell by staff after he failed to show up for a planned visit with his girlfriend and two children. An autopsy found he was asphyxiated.

McKay was serving a life sentence for manslaughter for his part in the May 26, 2000 slaying of Adrien Bruyere in a gang-related attack (Jeffrey Bruyere and Adrien Bruyere are not related).

www.mikeoncrime.com

History

Updated on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at 4:41 PM CDT: Adds sentence.

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.

letters

Make text: Larger | Smaller

LATEST VIDEO

Jets aren't dead (quite) yet

View more like this

Photo Store Gallery

  • Young goslings jostle for position to take a drink from a puddle in Brookside Cemetery Thursday morning- Day 23– June 14, 2012   (JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)
  • Marc Gallant/Winnipeg Free Press. Local- Peregrine Falcon Recovery Project. Baby peregrine falcons. 21 days old. Three baby falcons. Born on ledge on roof of Radisson hotel on Portage Avenue. Project Coordinator Tracy Maconachie said that these are third generation falcons to call the hotel home. Maconachie banded the legs of the birds for future identification as seen on this adult bird swooping just metres above. June 16, 2004.

View More Gallery Photos

Poll

Will you go see the kangaroos at the Australian Outback zoo exhibit?

View Results

Ads by Google