Dawson City, Yukon, man sentenced to 6 years for manslaughter in 2018 death of B.C. man
CBC
A Dawson City, Yukon, man has been sentenced to six years in prison for manslaughter, in connection with the April 2018 death of Kevin McGowan, in Dawson.
Kane Morgan was sentenced on Friday. He'll serve six years minus 95 days credited for time already served in pretrial custody.
Morgan was found guilty in March of manslaughter. He had initially been accused of second degree murder, but the two-week jury trial determined that Morgan had been heavily intoxicated by drugs and alcohol at the time, and was therefore not able to form intent. The jury found Morgan not guilty of second degree murder.
Before issuing her sentence on Friday, Yukon Supreme Court Chief Justice Suzanne Duncan acknowledged that this has been a unique and very tragic case for several reasons.
She cited Morgan's troubled childhood and resultant trauma, as well as the fact that he has worked hard to change his life for the better since McGowan's death.
Duncan also acknowledged the profound impact McGowan's death has had, and continues to have, on those who knew him.
The court heard that Morgan and McGowan, who was from Port Coquitlam, B.C., met in April 2018 shortly after McGowan had moved to Dawson City to pursue his career as a chef. On the night McGowan died, the two men were hanging out at a bar before going to a house party together. They were later seen walking downtown, shouting "I love you man" to each other.
Their relationship was described as friendly. Morgan said they were getting along and had a lot of similar interests.
The court, however, also heard that Morgan was acting wildly and erratically throughout the night.
McGowan was found dead in the street in downtown Dawson later that night. Morgan admitted to causing McGowan's death by blunt-force trauma.
Morgan testified that he had been drinking in addition to using several drugs including MDMA and magic mushrooms. It's believed that Morgan was experiencing paranoia and psychosis as a result.
The court heard at the sentencing hearing on Thursday that the crime has had a horrific impact on McGowan's friends and family.
Thirteen victim impact statements were read during the sentencing arguments. Relatives, friends and family members described 41-year-old McGowan as funny, kind, and the life of the party. He was also someone who was quick to help others, they said.
Brogan Tansowny, McGowan's daughter, was 19 when her father died. She appeared at this week's hearing by video conference and read an emotional statement, describing her early adult life consumed by grief and trauma.
RCMP say a man died while in police custody on Wednesday in downtown Yellowknife, and Alberta RCMP are investigating the incident.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford and federal officials left an hours-long meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick saying they feel more positive about the Canada-U.S. trading relationship after weeks of bad blood and heated rhetoric.
The Alberta government wants to cut more than $400 million in the fees it pays to doctors, according to a confidential memo obtained by The Canadian Press.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says Canada's incoming prime minister needs to immediately and urgently negotiate a way to avoid China's planned tariffs on Canadian canola — even before an election call.
A judge has sentenced a 48-year-old man to life in prison for brutally stabbing his ex-wife and daughter to death in North York in 2022.
Ontario is seeing a massive surge in measles cases as an ongoing outbreak spreads in the province among mostly unvaccinated people.
Prince Edward Island's Affordable Housing Development Program fell short of its intended purpose, the province's Auditor General says.
Not even cracking open a cold one is safe from tariffs.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a farewell message to Canadians Thursday as he marks his last full day in office.
The Association of Yukon Fire Chiefs says about 80 per cent of volunteer firefighters in the territory are wearing expired protective equipment, putting them in danger and in violation of occupational health and safety regulations when they respond to emergencies.
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault will be given a new portfolio in Mark Carney's cabinet, a source with knowledge of the decision told Radio-Canada.
The Alberta government has suspended a loan program at Picture Butte Feeder Cooperative, the province's largest cattle financing cooperative, after an inspection alleged a number of financial mismanagement and regulatory issues.
If you look up at the sky late, late Thursday in the Toronto area, there's a chance you'll be able to see a total lunar eclipse and what's called a blood moon.