A young Montrealer who participated in the murder of a 16-year-old teenager and then mocked his victim on social networks was sentenced to life in prison, with no possibility of release for 13 years.
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“There is a total absence of empathy, a contempt for human life,” said Judge Annie Émond while sentencing Andrei Donet this Thursday at the Montreal courthouse.
Impassive in the dock, the 21-year-old remained unmoved as he listened to the judge repeat the Crown’s comments, in connection with the murder he committed in October 2021, after leaving class.
That day, Jannai Dopwell-Bailey was leaving school when he was attacked by a group of individuals, including Donet who was masked. The 16-year-old victim was pepper-sprayed before being beaten and stabbed as she tried to flee.
A candlelight vigil was held to honor the memory of Jannai Dopwell-Bailey, shortly after her death in October 2021.
Photo Agence QMi, Mario Beauregard
“ [Dopwell-Bailey] was beaten, at least six stab wounds were made while he was on the ground,” recalled the judge.
A “demon” according to the mother
And after the crime, Donet appeared on social networks, making fun of the victim. He also posted an image of a knife and following a search of his electronic devices, police found notes of rap songs taunting Jannai Dopwell-Bailey.
The victim Jannai Dopwell-Bailey, 16 years old
Screenshot taken from Youtube
“He’s a demon, I don’t think he’ll ever get parole,” commented the victim’s mother as she left the courtroom.
During the proceedings, she expressed her pain at having lost her son whom she loved so much, while the father of the killed teenager paid tribute to her.
“It is a great pain to no longer have him among us, we miss him,” he reiterated this Thursday.
Dangerous even in prison
Donet, who had been convicted of second-degree murder, was hoping for some leniency, given his age and because he was not the primary assailant in the killing.
Except that his behavior during his preventive detention did not help him in his cause: while he was awaiting trial, he attacked a fellow prisoner with a knife.
“Andrei Donet began cutting the victim all over his body while the second suspect […] was punching and kicking,” recounted the Crown prosecutor, Me Katherine Brabant.
Thus, if Me Benoît Demchuck hopes to obtain a period of 10 years before being eligible for parole, the judge instead imposed a minimum of 13 years. The Crown demanded 15.
“There is no guarantee that he will be released from prison [après avoir purgé le minimum] “, however recalled the judge.
Asked to speak at court one last time, Donet declined the offer.
