R. v. Morris, 2020 NSSC 182

SUPREME COURT OF Nova Scotia Citation: R. v. Morris , 2020 NSSC 182 Date: 20200604 Docket: CRY No. 485289 Registry: Yarmouth Between: Her Majesty the Queen v. Jason Paul Morris S E N T E N C I N G Judge: The Honourable Justice M. Heather Robertson Heard: June 4, 2020, in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia Counsel: Janice Rea, for the Crown Raymond Jacquard, for the offender Robertson, J.: (Orally) [ 1 ] I am prepared to accept the joint recommendation of Crown counsel and defence counsel with respect to the sentencing of Mr. Morris and the acceptance of his guilty plea to an offence under s. 267 (

a) of the Criminal Code . I have read the statement of facts. I have heard the submissions of both counsels. [ 2 ] This was obviously an unfortunate event. Mr. Morris’ role in the commission of this offence was limited to providing Mr. Jacquard with the weapon that Mr. Jacquard then discharged against the victim when he shot through a ceiling hatch in an attic in which the victim was hiding. And then, unfortunately Mr. Morris brought the weapon back into the residence allowing Mr. Jacquard to discharge the weapon a second time against the victim. [ 3 ] I am pleased Mr.

Morris that you recognize the circumstances the evening fueled by alcohol and acknowledge you had abused alcohol most of your adult life. The fact that you have accepted your moral culpability for the events of this sad evening and that you have been cooperative once you realized the significance of your actions and your participation in this event, is a positive factor. [ 4 ] I am also pleased to hear that you have dealt with the alcohol problem and have been sober for 27 months and that there have been no breaches since that time.

You have been living under house arrest with your parents as such and you continue to be gainfully employed as a lobster fisherman in a stable employment situation with the same captain for the last 13 years. [ 5 ] So, in considering all of this I am accepting the joint recommendation and sentence you to two years in federal penitentiary. We do have two orders – one is the prohibition against having any weapons for 10 years pursuant to s. 109 and the DNA order which I will impose. [ 6 ] Mr. Morris, good luck.

I am sorry you are going away to an institution at this difficult time, but I think you will be safe there and stay well and continue to carry on and live a good life. Take care. Justice M. Heather Robertson