More than three years after a Halloween party in Regina ended with a fatal shooting, a sentence has been handed down.
Twenty-five-year-old Elijah Noname has been given a 12-year sentence for killing 18-year-old Nolen Tanner.
With credit for time already served, Noname will spend the next seven years in prison.
Noname was found guilty of manslaughter in January. He previously testified he brought a pistol to the party, and while Noname said he never intended to kill anyone that night, the Crown says the firearm was a factor in its joint submission with the defence.
“It was a prohibited weapon, and I know the family feels very strongly (that) this message simply has to go out,” said Crown prosecutor Kim Jones.
“Offences of this nature won't be tolerated. There (are) far too many crimes involving firearms in Regina and in Saskatchewan.”
“It's a relief for my client to finally have us at this point where he's sentenced and he knows, with certainty, what's happening to him for the next seven years of his life,” said defence lawyer Noah Evanchuk.
Lana Sheepskin also spoke at the sentencing. Tanner was Sheepskin’s daughter's boyfriend.
“Nolen never went looking for trouble. He loved everybody and was the best daddy he could be,” said Sheepskin.
Tanner leaves behind a three-year-old son.
Noname also spoke, saying "what happened was unintentional. I'm very sorry for what happened. I hope me going to jail gives the family peace.”
Noname originally faced a charge of second-degree murder in Tanner’s death.
