Gail and Don White on their wedding day. (Submitted Photo)
A Greater Napanee man has been sentenced to life in prison, with parole eligibility after 16 years, for second degree murder.
Judge Graeme Mew told the court in Napanee he feels the sentence is appropriate for John Masson White in the killing of his step-mother Gail Doreen White.
A jury found him guilty of second degree murder just a day previous, which carries a sentence of life in prison with parole eligibility after 10 years. John had been facing a first degree murder charge.
Judge Mew said in the course of a few seconds, the 41 year-old changed not only his life, but the lives of those around him.
He said John took a concealed, loaded handgun and pointed it at his 56-year-old stepmother who was sitting in a chair, legs crossed with a phone in her lap and pointed it at her head.
Judge Mew continued by saying that with chilling accuracy he shot her in the centre of her head, killing her instantly.
He said the evidence clearly supported a finding that when John pulled the trigger he intended to kill Gail.
Judge Mew said John’s father sat there and watched John kill Gail in cold blood and when Don White’s victim impact statement was read aloud in court, John hung his head in shame.
Gail White (Submitted Photo)
He continued to say seven of the 12 jurors recommended John serve the full 25 year sentence, one recommended 20 years, one recommended 15 years and three others made no recommendations; which he took into account as well as other factors.
Judge Mew also mentioned John had no previous criminal record of any significance, had been a contributing member of society and his risk of reoffending is modest at best, but John had not shown any genuine remorse for his actions, all of which he also had to take into consideration.
There were also non-communication orders put in place. John is also to submit a DNA sample and has been given a lifetime weapons prohibition.
John has served 34 months in custody.
He was 38 at the time of his arrest on April 16, 2016.
