Teen receives nine-year prison sentence for ‘adult-like plan’ in slaying of La Ronge restaurateur

By Derek Cornet

Judge Robert Lane called the killing of La Ronge restaurateur Simon Grant reprehensible, unjustified and evil as he sentenced the final teen involved in the crime to nine years in prison.

“This was a well-thought-out, adult-like plan,” Lane told the court Thursday on the last day of the sentencing hearing. “It’s hard for me to think about a more evil and unjustified attack.”

In his decision, Lane recalled the facts surrounding the beating death of Grant at his Louisiana’s Bar-B-Que Restaurant in April 2017.

On that night, three masked individuals including Austin Bird (who was sentenced to seven years in prison) and a youth (who was sentenced to three) entered the business using the backdoor. It was closing time when the trio attacked Grant.

He sustained 10 blows to the body — three of which were to his head — and was left dying in a pool of blood as he was robbed of his valuables. He later died at a hospital in Saskatoon.

Along with his prison term, Lane handed the teen a 10-year firearm prohibition, a no-contact order for Grant’s family and an order to submit a DNA sample to the court. With the more than two years he spent on remand, as well as credit for time served, the teen has five years 10 months left to serve unless released early on parole.

During closing arguments Monday, the defence requested a three-year Intensive Rehabilitation Custody Supervision youth sentence, while the Crown asked for 13 to 15 years in prison.

Lane stated in order for there to be respect for the justice system, the public would need to respect the sentences handed down and he noted that couldn’t be achieved with a youth sentence. He also said a youth sentence would fail at rehabilitating the teen.

“I’m very happy about the judge’s decision and I’m grateful for the way he told the story,” said Cora Laich, Grant’s widow. “It was something that was always in the back of my head. I’m looking forward to moving on, and just joy and sunlight. I see Simon looking down and wanting a good life for (daughter) Candice and I.”

Laich commended the judge for his decision, adding he spoke in a way that was understandable for those in the gallery. Throughout the court proceeding, she said it was like a cloud of doom was over the family but they are satisfied with the nine-year sentence.

“It spoke volumes to me that the judge is really understanding the brutality of the crime,” Laich said.

The defence has 30 days to appeal the decision. If no appeal is made, the court-ordered publication ban on the name of the youth would expire, and publishing his name will be permitted.