R. v. Medwedrich

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Citation: R. v. Medwedrich, 2024 BCSC 1851 Date: 20240826 Docket: 183771-2 Registry: Victoria Rex v. Damien James Medwedrich Restriction on publication: A publication ban has been imposed under s. 486.5(1) of the Criminal Code restricting the publication, broadcasting, or transmission in any way of any information that could identify the witness referred to in these reasons as X (the Witness) including the names of parents of the Witness. This publication ban applies indefinitely unless otherwise ordered. Before: The Honourable Madam Justice V. Jackson Oral Reasons for Sentence Counsel for the Crown: R.C. Fowler C.M.F. Jennings, K.C. Counsel for the Accused: S.J. Runyon Place and Date of Trial/Hearing: Victoria, B.C. August 26, 2024 Place and Date of Judgment: Victoria, B.C. August 26, 2024 THE COURT: This decision was delivered in the form of oral reasons for judgment. The reasons have since been edited for publication without changing the substance. [1] These are my reasons for sentence. [2] On April 19, 2024, I convicted Mr. Medwedrich of the sole count on the indictment, the first degree murder of Alex William Knatchbell, on or about the 20th day of January, 2020, at or near Langford, British Columbia, contrary to s. 235(1) of the Criminal Code. [3] Mr. Medwedrich shot Mr. Knatchbell 12 times after luring him to a dark, remote,

isolated area on Humpback Road late at night. [4] At the sentencing hearing, I have received from Crown counsel the victim impact statements of four members of Mr. Knatchbell's family, two of whom read their statements to the Court. [5] Having found Mr. Medwedrich guilty of the first degree murder of Mr. Knatchbell, s. 745(1) of the Code requires he be sentenced to imprisonment for life without eligibility of parole until he has served 25 years of that sentence. [6] Mr. Medwedrich, would you stand, please, sir. In respect of Count 1, the first degree murder of Alex William Knatchbell, I sentence you to life imprisonment with no eligibility for parole until the expiry of 25 years. You can be seated, sir. [7] The Crown has asked for several ancillary orders which I am satisfied are appropriate. The first is the firearms weapon prohibition, and that is a mandatory weapons prohibition under s.

109. This indicates it as having been a subsequent offence? [8] CNSL C. JENNINGS: That's correct, I have not filed a copy of his criminal record. I apologize, Justice. I can tell you that he was previously convicted of offences with respect to possession of firearms. [9] THE COURT: All right, and that is not disputed, Ms. Runyon? [10] CNSL S. RUNYON: That's not disputed. [11] THE COURT: Thank you very much. So pursuant to s. 109(3) of the Code, Mr. Medwedrich, you are prohibited from possessing any firearm, cross-bow, restricted or prohibited weapon, prohibited device, ammunition, and explosive substance, for life. [12] The Crown has also sought the DNA order under s. 487.051 and I will make that order as well. Count 1 on the indictment is a primary designated offence, and so I authorize the taking of bodily samples from you, Mr. Medwedrich, for that purpose, and the samples will be taken while you are in custody and you must submit to the taking of those samples. [13] The Crown has also sought, with no objection from defence counsel, the forfeiture of items seized under s. 490(9) of the Criminal Code. Upon hearing from Clare Jennings, K.C., and Richard Fowler, counsel for the Crown, and Sarah Runyon, counsel for the defendant, and on being satisfied that peace officers of the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit seized the items listed in Appendices A, B, C, D, E, F,

G, H, to the proposed form of order, pursuant to an investigation under Police File Number 2020‑700, and being satisfied that those exhibits will no longer be required for any purpose under ss. 490(1) or 490(4) of the Code, I order, pursuant to s. 490(9) of the Code, that the exhibits listed in those appendices shall be forfeited to the Crown to be disposed of as the Attorney General of British Columbia directs. [14] Those are my reasons. "V. Jackson J."