A shot with a nine, nets rapper time

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This article was published 01/06/2013 (4493 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A promising entertainment career was interrupted when aspiring hip-hop artist Franklin Fontaine, a.k.a. Young Kidd, was given a three-year prison sentence.

Fontaine, 24, was facing multiple weapons charges from a May 2009 shooting inside Players Sports Bar on McPhillips Street.

Crown counsel Michael DeSautels told court Friday there had been a scuffle between two groups at the pool hall/bar that night. Later, surveillance video captured Fontaine raising a 9-mm handgun into the air and firing one round into the ceiling. No one was hurt.

Fontaine represented himself and entered a guilty plea in January to one count of possessing a loaded firearm, in exchange for dropping the other charges.

DeSautels said the law requires a minimum three-year sentence for loaded-firearm offences. DeSautels said he recommended the minimum because Fontaine had a good pre-sentence report, he is young, he abided by strict bail conditions for almost four years and he has a chance at a successful career when released.

Fontaine has a previous conviction from 2008 for carrying a firearm, for which he received a $1,200 fine and one year of probation.

Fontaine entered the courtroom surrounded by a large group of supporters that included his mother, Ingrid, his girlfriend and mother of his child, and other family members and friends.

Fontaine was sharply dressed, wearing a grey suit, black dress shirt, white tie, black sneakers with and his trademark black horn-rimmed glasses.

Many of his supporters, including his mother and girlfriend, were wearing Free Young Kidd T-shirts.

Fontaine again represented himself at the hearing. He sat at the defence table accompanied by his mother.

Fontaine broke down in tears while reading a prepared statement, apologizing for his actions and stating he is now a changed person from four years ago.

Justice Robert Dewar said Fontaine’s actions called for a prison sentence, adding it was fortunate no one was hurt that night.

However, Dewar said he was impressed Fontaine had abided by strict bail conditions while trying to develop a hip-hop career and had accepted responsibility for his actions, adding Fontaine could apply for parole and resume his career when released.

Fontaine was hugged by family and friends at the end of the hearing. He removed his jacket and tie before being placed in handcuffs and escorted out of the courtroom by three Sheriff’s officers, with his family and friends walking with them.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca