Update Nov. 1 -By R Dyok: A man convicted of manslaughter and interference with a dead body in relation to the death of Likely resident Gary Price won’t be sentenced until later this year.
Sentencing for 58-year-old Guy Smith got underway Wednesday in Williams Lake Supreme Court with both Crown and Defense Counsel making submissions.
Madam Justice Church said given the extensive submissions she does not want to rush in making a decision and set Nov. 19 to fix a date for sentencing.
Victim impact statements were read by Crown from numerous family members of Price who stated they never have they gone through so much stress and anguish both physically and mentally. Price’s sister Gwen Reese who was in attendance said the evidence revealed a horrific picture of Price’s death that she’ll never forget.
She said Price was a genuine person who his young grandchildren would have loved.
Crown is seeking a consecutive sentence of 8 years in prison on the manslaughter charge and 4-5 years for indignity to human remains, while Defense Counsel said it believes 6 years for manslaughter and 2 years for interference with a dead body is appropriate.
Price’s body was discovered in a well on a Likely property 19 months after he was reported missing by his family in March of 2013.
Crown said Smith struck Price who was helping Smith move on his head with significant force using a blunt unidentified object. Despite rendering Price immediately unconscious, Smith struck Price again.
Price who also sustained broken ribs and a broken nose was then partially dismembered and was submerged in a well with a concrete-like substance and heavy items.
“Mr. Smith put a great deal of energy and labor into concealing his crime,” Crown said. “Not content with disposal alone, Mr. Smith then tailored and fabricated the information he volunteered to police and Mr. Price’s family over several months in an effort to divert their search and hide his crimes.”
Defense Counsel said there is a wide range of sentencing for manslaughter and provided cases to Madam Justice Church where sentences were 4 to 8 years. It also argued Smith’s previous criminal charges as ‘old news’ and said that an argument likely arose in an alcohol-fueled dispute between Price and Smith adding that there are many gaps in the limited evidence.
Original Story Oct. 31: Sentencing Underway For Man Found Guilty of Manslaughter in Likely-by George Henderson
A Sentencing Hearing is underway in Supreme Court in Williams Lake today for a man who was found guilty of Manslaughter and Indignity to a Dead Body.
Two days have been aside for 58-year old Guy William Smith, who is appearing by video.
The court heard a number of victim impact statements this morning from the family of Gary Price.
Gwen Reese, Price’s sister, delivered hers in person while the others were read for them.
The crown is seeking consecutive sentences for Smith, eights years for Manslaughter and 4 to 5 years on the charge of Indignity to a Dead Body.
The court has yet to hear from the Defence.
Price was reported missing by his family back in March of 2013, and the 60-year old’s body was discovered in a well on a property in Likely in September of 2014.
Smith was found guilty in July following a trial that spanned seven weeks, and included the testimony of 60 crown witnesses.