Family and friends of the late Jeffery Kraft, gathered outside the Red Deer court house on Wednesday, in anticipation of sentencing taking place for the man charged in Kraft's murder in Lacombe in 2019. (rdnewsNOW / Sheldon Spackman)

By Sheldon Spackman

"simply inappropriate"

Judge rejects sentencing submission in manslaughter case

Feb 3, 2021 | 6:08 PM

A judge has rejected a joint sentencing submission for a man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the 2019 shooting death of a young Ponoka man.

In Red Deer provincial court on Wednesday, Judge Jim Hunter told Crown prosecutor Ed Ring and defense lawyer Michael Scrase that their proposed seven-year prison term and lifetime weapons ban for 28-year-old Tyler John Campbell was simply, “inappropriate.”

“I won’t accept the joint submission without something further from counsel,” said Hunter. “It doesn’t reflect the gravity of the crime. What is being proposed is not appropriate, unless counsel can convince me otherwise.”

Campbell entered a guilty plea to manslaughter in November of last year after originally being charged with second degree murder, robbery with a firearm, conspire to commit an indictable offense, and breach of conditions in the Dec. 15, 2019 death of 20-year-old Jeffery Kraft.

According to an Agreed Statement of Facts, Kraft and another friend met Amie Rogers in the parking lot of the Boston Pizza in Lacombe around 1:30 a.m. Campbell was hiding in the trunk of Rogers’ car, armed with a 12-gauge shotgun.

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Kraft and his friend entered the car, with Kraft in the front passenger seat as they drove a short distance to a rural area north of Lacombe with the intention of consuming cannabis.

Once they arrived, Rogers got out and opened the trunk, with Campbell then getting out and yelling, “Who is Jeff?”

After Kraft identified himself, Campbell yelled that Kraft owed him money, to which Kraft replied, “I’ll pay you.”

It was then that the shotgun went off from point-blank range, hitting Kraft with a shot to his upper right chest before he fell out of the car.

The trio drove Kraft to hospital in Lacombe where Kraft’s friend went inside to seek help. He came back out to find Kraft lying on the ground in the hospital parking lot, while Campbell and Rogers had fled the scene.

Although medical assistance was provided to Kraft, he died of his injuries a short time later.

Rogers and Campbell were arrested by Sylvan Lake RCMP around 9 a.m. that morning.

During sentencing submissions, Ring suggested denunciation and deterrence should be given primary consideration in sentencing, noting Campbell’s previous convictions for possession of controlled substances stemming back to July 2019.

Scrase maintained that case law supported their submission and is reasonable given prior case law.

Ten scathing victim impact statements were also read before the court on Wednesday, including from Kraft’s immediate and extended family members and friends.

Kraft’s mother, Carrie Cocke, said Campbell has destroyed her life.

“I will never forgive you for what you have done. Your decision has left me an empty shell of the person I used to be.”

“The two of you who took my son’s life don’t deserve the air you breathe or the ground you walk on,” added Kraft’s father Allen in his victim impact statement. “I hope you both burn in hell.”

Kraft’s sister Caitlin described her brother as her best friend – a kind, caring, smart, and gentle young man.

“Not only did you rob him of his life, but you robbed us of having him in ours,” she said through tears. “My kids love their uncle so much and now they cry on a daily basis. You disgust me. The psychological damage you’ve caused will last far beyond any attempt to make your life worthwhile.”

Hunter offered Campbell an opportunity to address the court before adjourning the matter to March 4 for sentencing.

Campbell accepted the offer and told court he never intended to hurt anybody.

“I think about what happened every day and how much it has affected people. I’m truly sorry for what happened, but I know I will never be forgiven for it.”

Speaking outside court, Kraft’s family was pleased to see Hunter’s expectation for a stronger sentence be proposed.

“I am grateful for the support of everybody here to honour and support us as we go through this tragedy,” noted Caitlin.

“I’m just thankful that the judge sees that my son’s life meant something, and that it’s not fair that they killed him for no reason and that they need to pay now,” said Cocke.