Saskatchewan

Decision on sentencing in Leflar trial adjourned to May

A 17-year-old boy who has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the death of a Regina girl was back in court Monday.

Boy, 17, pleaded guilty in April to 1st-degree murder in death of Hannah Leflar

Hannah Leflar, 16, was found dead in a home in Regina on Jan. 12, 2015. Two teens were charged with first-degree murder, with one of them pleading guilty in April. (Facebook)

A 17-year-old boy who has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the death of a Regina girl was back in court Monday.

The Crown and defence were to argue in a Queen's Bench courtroom whether or not the youth should be sentenced as an adult, which could result in more time behind bars.

Court was adjourned to May 8, 2017 at 10 a.m.

Lawyers on both sides say they still need to examine some of the teen's psychiatric assessment reports.

"It's a very significant matter and it's very important that the court have enough information in order that we can get it done properly," defence lawyer James Struthers said.

Crown prosecutor Chris White said the question of whether to pursue an adult sentence depends on the individual circumstances.

"This is obviously a situation where a young person should be sentenced as an adult given the nature of the offence," he said.

The teenager was one of two boys charged in the death of Hannah Leflar, 16.

The body of the Thom Collegiate student was found in a Regina home in January of 2015.

One teen, the subject of today's hearing, pleaded guilty in April.

The two accused were 16 years old at the time of the offence and can't be named under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

That would change if a judge decides to sentence them as adults.

Whereas the maximum youth sentence would be 10 years, adults convicted of first-degree murder receive an automatic life in prison, with a minimum of 25 years in prison. 

The other boy will be going on trial next month.