Saskatchewan’s highest court has reserved its decision on the sentence appeal for two brothers convicted in a 2006 shooting death during a home invasion in Regina.
Jacob Worm was sentenced to life in prison with no eligibility of parole for 16 years for second-degree murder in the death of 48-year-old Douglas Anderson.
His brother, Tyrone Worm, was found guilty of manslaughter in connection with the slaying, and was sentenced to 12 years behind bars.
On Friday, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal heard arguments from lawyers for the two men, who argued that the sentences imposed by the trial judge were excessive.
The lawyers also argued that the judge failed to consider relevant sentencing factors, and that the basis for her decision is unclear.
In November 2006, the two brothers broke into a home they mistakenly believed was a drug house operated by the rival Native Syndicate gang.
The men demanded drugs or money before Jacob Worm, who was armed with a handgun, fatally shot Anderson in the stomach in front of his family.
In an interview outside court Friday, the victim’s sister, Dale Grey, described her brother as an extremely happy and jolly man.
“It’s impacted (the family) terribly. I think of my brother every day,” Grey said about the loss, adding that Friday’s court proceedings brought back painful memories.
“I went back to that day again, and it just hurt me,” she said. “I had tears in my eyes.”
Relatives of the Worm brothers, who didn’t want to be identified, told CTV News that they just want to see justice done in the case.
A third man, Denny Jimmy, who was convicted of manslaughter in connection with Anderson’s death, also sought to appeal his 12-year sentence Friday.
However, the appeal justices dismissed that application, saying it wasn’t filed within the requisite time frame.
