How to Get Away With Murder

"White, 20, had originally been charged with first-degree murder, but pleaded guilty Tuesday to the lesser charge."

[---]

"In seeking a six-year term for his client, defence lawyer Morris Bodnar said White was intoxicated at the time of the incident and has no memory of what happened.

But Crown prosecutor Melodi Kujawa argued the killing was a gang-related, and a sentence of 10 to 12 years was needed to send a strong message denouncing such behaviour.

Some of the issues that will be considered at sentencing include White's age, his aboriginal heritage and his level of intoxication, court heard."

Well, it certainly seems his lawyer thinks this excuse will fly, and if past performance of our courts means anything, he probably has a good chance. And what the heck does his aboriginal heritage have to do with it???!!! Does it give him a license to commit murder without consequences? Does his victim's family not have any right see justice done? Is there not a little girl growing up without her father? You also have to wonder how the intoxication thing plays into this case. Did the client suggest to his lawyer (or the other way around, for that matter) that this line of argument might work 'cause it's worked for others?

Yup. Once again, the Indian Industry works its double standard magic. As if our criminal justice system isn't bad already!