DistantNews
Support us
Calgary judge reserves sentencing decision in crash that killed 9-year-old
🇨🇦 Canada /Crime & Justice

Calgary judge reserves sentencing decision in crash that killed 9-year-old

From Global News · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • A Calgary judge has reserved her sentencing decision for Duane Nepoose, who admitted to killing nine-year-old Victoria Desjardins.
  • Nepoose pleaded guilty to charges including dangerous driving causing death after hitting Desjardins' family car with a stolen minivan.
  • The judge stated that a rushed decision would be disrespectful to the family and unfair to the accused, emphasizing the law's role in determining the sentence.

In a Calgary courtroom, the family of nine-year-old Victoria Desjardins shared the profound grief of her death with Duane Nepoose, the man responsible.

You took one of the greatest things life has to offer, a beautiful little girl.

— Trevor DesjardinsThe father of the nine-year-old victim expressed his grief in a victim statement read by the Crown prosecutor.

On Boxing Day in 2024, Nepoose drove a stolen minivan through a red light, colliding with the Desjardins family's vehicle. Victoria died from her injuries. Her father, Trevor Desjardins, expressed his anguish in a victim statement, saying, "You took one of the greatest things life has to offer, a beautiful little girl." He lamented the future his daughter would never experience.

Nepoose, 31, has admitted to charges of dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, robbery, and fleeing a police officer. The Crown prosecutor recommended a sentence of 9 1/2 to 10 1/2 years, along with a lifetime driving and weapons ban. The defense argued for a sentence not exceeding nine years, with a five-year driving ban post-sentence.

I can now only imagine what she would have become.

— Trevor DesjardinsThe father of the nine-year-old victim reflected on the future his daughter would never have.

Justice Indra Maharaj reserved her sentencing decision, explaining that a hasty judgment would be disrespectful to the family and unjust to Nepoose. She acknowledged the immeasurable loss the family has suffered, stating, "There is no number that will change what happened and there’s no way to quantify your loss." She affirmed her duty to review and apply the law.

There is no number that will change what happened and there’s no way to quantify your loss.

— Justice Indra MaharajThe judge addressed the victim's family, acknowledging their pain while explaining her role in applying the law.

The court also heard from Dave Anderson, a friend of Trevor Desjardins, who recounted rushing to the hospital and witnessing the father's devastation. Another victim, Halima Ahmed, who was injured in the crash, described her ongoing struggles with anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. Nepoose addressed the court, taking responsibility for his actions. People in the gallery were visibly moved, with many wiping away tears.

But I have a job to do and that job is the job of the law. And I have to review the law and apply the law.

— Justice Indra MaharajThe judge explained her judicial duty to the victim's family.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Global News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog