Crown will seek adult sentence for 14-year-old accused in Mount Pearl murder case

In a rare move, Crown prosecutors in Newfoundland and Labrador are seeking an adult sentence for a 14-year-old boy accused of murder.

The boy — who cannot be named due to his age — is accused of killing a 65-year-old woman in Mount Pearl on Aug. 3, 2023. Police have said the two were familiar with each other, but have not disclosed the nature of their relationship.

While the accused has yet to stand trial, prosecutors Diedre Badcock and Holly Holm have already signalled their intentions to have him sentenced as an adult if convicted.

Badcock declined comment when asked by CBC News, saying it would inappropriate as the matter is currently before the courts.

The Youth Criminal Justice Act allows for people as young as 14 to be sentenced as adults. While the maximum youth sentence for murder is 10 years, an adult sentence can come with life imprisonment.

Little known about case

Few details were made public following the killing last August. The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary was initially called to the home on Smallwood Drive at 4:15 p.m. on Aug. 3, where they found the woman's body.

Five days later, police announced a 14-year-old suspect was in custody.

Investigators were looking for a blue plastic recycling bag, which they believed was connected to the crime.

The court case is still in the early stages, as the boy has yet to enter a plea.

Prosecutors have to announce their intentions for sentencing a youth as an adult before a plea is entered, so "the youth and their counsel can make decisions about the conduct of their case knowing the full extent of the youth's potential jeopardy," said Lisa Stead, director of public prosecutions in an email to CBC News.

Stead declined further comment, saying she was unable to speak about the case.

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