Posted on 08/30/2018 12:33:33 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
A former private security guard sentenced Wednesday to four years in jail for manslaughter claims that years of involuntary celibacy left him so frustrated he stomped a man to death two summers ago.
Sheldon Bentley was employed as a security guard at the Lucky 97 grocery store in central Edmonton on July 31, 2016, when he and his partner encountered a man sleeping in an alcove off the alley behind the store at 107th Avenue and 97th Street. Bentley stomped on Donald Doucette, 51, who died within minutes from massive internal bleeding.
At the sentencing hearing, a forensic psychiatrist and a probation officer submitted reports outlining Bentley's anger and frustration about not being able to find a sexual partner.
"He seems to put himself into the category of an involuntary celibate person," Crown prosecutor Kristen Logan said.
The Crown asked Court of Queen's Bench Justice Paul Belzil to impose an eight-year sentence.
"This was a completely unprovoked attack," Logan said. "Mr. Doucette could not have been more vulnerable. He was simply taking a snooze. Mr. Doucette was literally and figuratively kicked when he was down."
Before he was sentenced, Bentley stood in the prisoner's box and asked for a glass of water. After a long swallow, he turned toward Doucette's family and friends and asked for forgiveness.
"Your father did not deserve to die that day," Bentley said. "My actions on that day were nothing short of reprehensible. I'm sorry for what I've taken from you. I can understand if you all can never truly forgive me. I understand you all despise me."
Still standing, hands clasped behind his back, Bentley, 38, confessed he didn't like the person he had become.
"I'd like you to know that at the start of my security career, I was not like this," he said. "The years of dealing with the sorts of things that I had to deal with in my course of work, unfortunately, simply took its toll. In addition to my personal issues."
Those "personal issues'" were described in more detail in reports prepared for the court by a forensic psychiatrist and a probation officer.
Bentley often spoke of his frustrations that he could not attract a woman, despite efforts in person and online, probation officer Ashley Mikasko wrote.
"During the time of the offence, the subject spoke to how he had built up stress from not having any sexual relations."
The probation officer said Bentley told her his only romantic relationship lasted for five months, when he was 27.
"He indicated it was the happiest time of his life, as he had his first sexual experience and felt loved," Mikasko wrote.
Bentley blamed his mother for the end of that relationship. Wanted to be like Captain America
He told the court his role model was Captain America.
"I would like you to know I'm truly not a bad person," he said. "I've tried to live a life of goodness."
But according to the report, Bentley told his probation officer the security job had taken its toll, "because he had to deal with homeless, heavily intoxicated individuals" who were often "verbally and physically aggressive and would call him Pee-Wee every day, a nickname he despised."
Bentley also told the probation officer he had a low opinion of people with addictions.
"A decent person does not engage in rampant, moral depravity such as drug and alcohol use," he told the officer, according to the report.
After meeting with Bentley, forensic psychiatrist Dr. Oto Cadsky wrote that he could understand why the man had difficulties with relationships.
"He appears to be a rather fearful man, afraid of the world around him," Cadsky said in his assessment. "His personality, and his obsessional need for precision and correctness, have almost certainly impeded him in the area of work and relationships."
Defence lawyer Amanda Hart-Dowhun told court her client was a member of the working poor who could only afford to live at the YMCA shelter, and was unable to escape his stressful working environment because he could never afford a vacation, or even dental work.
"Obviously that's no excuse for his behaviour on that day," Hart-Dowhun said. 'I am no threat to the public'
She asked the judge to impose a 28-month sentence, the equivalent of the amount of time Bentley had already served in pretrial custody.
Bentley asked the judge to give him freedom, saying he was potentially interested in joining the military.
"I would like this court to understand," Bentley said, "I am no threat to the public."
Belzil imposed a four-year sentence.
"Bentley told cops he was frustrated with his lot in life," Belzil said. "He couldn't get a girlfriend. The fact he had a frustrated state of mind in no way justified attacking a defenceless individual."
Tianna Doucette-Moody, the victim's daughter, read her victim impact statement in court.
"My father was an innocent man who didn't deserve to die alone in an alley," she said. "No one deserves to be treated so inhumanely.
After the judge left the courtroom, Bentley's distraught mother told reporters she is worried her son will kill himself behind bars, or that someone else will kill him.
Only 4 years for killing a homeless person? Stomping him to death? That seems too lenient.
You should not be randomly killing innocent children, domesticated animals and the homeless. 4 years is NOT enough punishment.
In Canada, a security guard cannot manhandle people. His job is to merely observe and talk and let the police handle it.
I agree. He should be given the stiffest of sentences.
So he’s just a security monitor.
He just tells other people when people need manhandling?
“Tianna Doucette-Moody, the victim’s daughter, read her victim impact statement in court.
‘My father was an innocent man who didn’t deserve to die alone in an alley,’ she said. “No one deserves to be treated so inhumanely.”
So, why didn’t Tina help care for her Dad? I guess I can understand it if he was a druggie and refused help or had mental health issues beyond her ability to help.
I’m not excusing the crime; I’m just always curious when the family members show up after the fact.
mama’s boy. No wonder he is not getting any action.
“After the judge left the courtroom, Bentley’s distraught mother told reporters she is worried her son will kill himself behind bars, or that someone else will kill him.”
She need not worry... With good behavior he will be able to get out in two or three years. And live to kick another day.
Hard time, so to speak.
Incel in a cell.
If you ever have to deal with an alcoholic or drug addicted relative or friend... you will find out just how little control you have when it comes to changing someone else’s behavior.
When you’re pushing 40, and your primary Role Model is a fictitious character from a comic book, you know you have deep problems. That must be one of the questions that never comes up when applying to become a Security Guard in Canada.
But then, why would it necessarily come up anyway?
The defense asked for 28 months. He should have gotten at least 28 YEARS, instead of the 4 that he received.
He will find out why we in the US call it the pokey.
I thought blowup dolls took care of that sort of situation.
he’ll have an active sex life now
In Canada, a security professional is only allowed to monitor a situation and is only allowed to make an arrest if the police are not going to come in due time.
He records everything in a notebook and it is considered court record, should it go to court.
“I’m sorry but it’s not my fault. “
He’ll be alive and kicking when he gets out.
Their lies are as evil as their deeds.
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