Manslaughter and subsequent killings

The story below, about a killer who killed again, is already fodder for those who want to bring back hanging.

It is a sad story about someone who seems to have been a danger for a long time. Clearly, this is not someone who should have had access to guns. And, in fairness, if sentenced for manslaughter today he would be barred from legally having weapons (the effectiveness of that is another issue).

That said, even if we had hanging in the 70's this convict would not have been hanged. A young man killing another during a fight at a party is not, and never has been, subject to hanging during Canada's (admittedly brief) history.
Bringing back hanging wouldn't make a difference:

Gunman killed teen in 1974

Sunday, March 14, 2010

By Laura Drake and Richard Warnica, Edmonton Journal


EDMONTON - Thirty-six years before he shot two men in an Edmonton car dealership, Dave Burns stabbed a Winnipeg teen in the heart after a fight over spilled beer and a torn shirt.

Burns pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 1974 for killing Garvin Dale Inglis, 18. He was sentenced to four years in prison. Burns was 19 at the time.

"Basically, after he went to prison, he vanished," said a former classmate who didn't want his name used. That is, until Friday, when he walked into Great West Chrysler, killed one co-worker, critically wounded another, then shot himself.
James Morton
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