Oliver resident Wayne Belleville was Ronald Tenecyke's last victim. He was wounded after being shot by Tenecyke on July 23, 2015, and has attended nearly every court appearance of Teneycke's since then.

(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)

PENTICTON - It was Ron Teneycke’s lawyer’s turn to advance submissions this morning as his dangerous offender hearing entered its final day.

Yesterday, Crown Prosecutor Murray Kaay completed submissions in an application for dangerous offender status for Ronald Arthur Teneycke, asking Judge Richard Hewson for a jail term of between 24 and 28 years for crimes committed in a week long flight from justice in July, 2015. A dangerous offender designation would mean an indeterminate sentence. 

A dangerous offender status for Teneycke was not in dispute, Defence lawyer Michael Welsh told court, saying rather the issue was the terms of his sentence to follow that ruling.

Teneycke faces a lengthy prison term on counts of robbery, discharge of a firearm with intent to wound, and flight from police following a week long police manhunt for him after he robbed a convenience store on July 16, 2015, culminating with the shooting of Oliver resident Wayne Belleville on July 23.

Welsh said his client has never disputed his guilt, saying delays bringing the matters to hearing were systemic.

Welsh noted Teneycke’s Metis heritage and a “chaotic upbringing in a home where his mother had an incestuous relationship with his uncle and his step father committed suicide by shooting himself.

“He suffered from sexual, physical and psychological abuse as a child. One of his sisters was murdered when he was young,” Welsh said of his client, noting the 55-year-old suffered from numerous physical and medical conditions, including diagnosis of personality disorder, anxiety, depression, lymphoma, arthritis, Hepatitis C, Type 2 diabetes, gout, hypertension, tachycardia, and had been under continuous medical care these past months.

Welsh noted his client had been diagnosed by clinical psychologist Dr. Will Reimer as having anti-social personality disorder as opposed to being considered psychopathic, and a lengthy period of individual treatment had been recommended.

He said the doctor clarified his findings by explaining because of Teneycke’s age and the “entrenched nature” of his social behaviour it would take at least five years treatment in an individual format.

Welsh said Reimer believed Teneycke wanted to participate in treatment, but was guarded around others, as he has been a victim and a victimizer, and in essence "protects those things about himself from others."

Welsh said the lengthy sentence Teneycke faces would provide an opportunity for such treatment in a federal institution running an indigenous treatment program.

Welsh suggested to Judge Richard Hewson a sentence totalling 10 to 12 years for all counts to be appropriate.

He noted since Teneycke’s arrest he had developed a number of health issues that in his submission, “would change circumstances of his physical abilities from what was the situation previously.” He said the length of Teneycke’s sentence would provide enough time for treatment “within that time frame."

Welsh noted Teneycke’s present incarceration amounted to 859 days spent in jail thus far, adding his diligence in completing courses while in prison indicated a change in behaviour and his willingness to learn how to "better cope with stresses and inter-personal relationship conflicts.”

Welsh proposed a 10- to 12-year sentence, less time served, and a five to seven year long term supervision order.

Judge Hewson will make his decision at a later date, as yet unspecified.

Teneycke’s last victim, Oliver resident Wayne Belleville was in court for the morning’s proceedings, as he has been for most of Teneycke’s appearances since his arrest.

“I think the sentence should approximate the severity of the crime. You have to look at his criminal history. They made some traction with regards to his ailments. He had all of those things when he shot me. Nothing has changed, there’s been no significant diagnosis. He actually looks healthier now than he did - he looked like a frail guy (back then)” Belleville said, adding he wasn’t buying into the argument Teneycke was less dangerous now that he had gout and suffered from depression.

Belleville also said the one thing Teneycke needs - one-on-one treatment - isn’t available in the form of a psychologist to treat him for five years in a federal prison.

“He’s where he belongs, and he should stay there,” he said.

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