KELOWNA - What was supposed to be a day of final submissions ahead of sentencing has turned into a multi-day examination into the lives of two men convicted of multiple weapons charges.
Admitted Hells Angel Joseph Bruce Skreptak and alleged gang associate Cory Montemurro asked to postpone sentencing until early January so they can spend Christmas with their families.
On Monday, Justice Allan Betton said he would hear final submissions before deciding when the sentencing would take place. On Tuesday, Skreptak's lawyer, Kelly Christiansen, told the court her client—
who spent more than two years in prison for a 2010 aggravated assault—only joined the infamous motorcycle gang because of the good work they do with children and their shared love of motorcycles.
"Any group has its positive aspects and its negative aspects," she said. "His focus is the bikes and the riding and the freedom. He was never directed to commit any crimes... and is a proud member of that group."
Crown is seeking seven years in Federal prison for both Skreptak and Montemurro but defence say sentences of three years for Montemurro and four years for Skreptak are more appropriate, given that the only crime they committed was possession of weapons and a small amount of marijuana.
Charges against the other two men in the vehicle, Dennis Miner and Carl Ennis, were dropped. Submissions are expected to continue tomorrow.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.