Dakoda Martin, 21. Picture displayed during Jeremy Reddick's sentencing hearing
Jeremy Reddick has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 14 years.
“No time is long enough…He just got 14 years, but I guess we’ll have to take it,” said Cindy Martin, the mother of stabbing victim Dakoda Martin.
Back in September, Reddick was found guilty of second-degree murder and assault with a weapon.
The convictions date back to May of 2016 when what started as a group of people drinking at Victoria Park late at night, ended up in tragedy.
A fight erupted between Reddick, 34, and Dakoda Martin, 21, and ultimately ended with Martin on the ground, unresponsive from stab wounds. Martin died at hospital later that night.
“A real man would’ve walked away,” said Tawnya Martin, Dakoda’s older sister, during her emotional victim impact statement at Reddick’s sentencing hearing. “You changed our family dynamic when you took him away from us…I will never, never forgive you Jeremy,” she added.
During the hearing, it was revealed that Reddick had a lengthy criminal record, which included two separate incidents involving a knife –the same weapon used that night at Victoria Park.
Aaron Prevost, Reddick’s defence lawyer, argued that a Gladue report, considered when sentencing someone with an Aboriginal background, revealed Reddick suffered a “tragic upbringing.” Prevost noted that although that does not minimize Reddick’s behavour that night, it does give context to it. He suggested the crown give his client the minimum of parole ineligibility of 10 years.
Middlesex County Crown attorney Joe Perfetto suggested 15 years.
“Events like [Martin’s death] transform people. It makes them sad, angry, and ineffective,” he said. “15 years [without parole] is an appropriate number that reflects the harm done to Dakoda and to the people who love and care for him, like the child who will never get to know him,” Perfetto said to Justice Helen Rady.
Jessica Schild, Martin’s fiancé, had her victim impact statement read. “My daughter lost her best friend, her father, her protector,” she wrote. “I hope the guilt sits with you for the rest of your life,” she added to Reddick.
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After the victim impact statements, Reddick turned to face the family and apologized.
“I’m sorry I brought so much pain and loss to you guys. I didn’t mean to kill Dakoda. I’m sorry,” he said quietly between sniffles.
Outside of court, Martin’ sister Tawnya said those words mean nothing to her. “I think he just thought he could get his sentence cut shorter…It was empty to me,” she said. “I’m going to be back [at court] any time [Reddick] tries to get out,” she added.
