A Belleville man, 48-year-old Robert Holgate, will not spend any more time in custody for his role in the drug-related shooting death of a Saskatoon man at 75 North Front Street on September 18, 2023.
On Thursday, Holgate was given a conditional sentence of 202 days. He had pleaded guilty to manslaughter on June 5 of this year.
His conditions include house arrest with the attachment of a GPS system to his person. Holgate can only leave his address for work or school, and medical and legal appointments. He will be under supervision and must report to a supervisor regularly.
Holgate has already spent 352 days in jail, much of them in harsh lockdown or overcrowded situations.
The judge said Holgate was involved in the situation only by setting up a meeting with the victim, 29-year-old Rylie Brissette for other men.
He did not shoot the victim and did not witness the shooting however he feared for his own safety if he did not set up the meeting.
He did not know a shooting would occur but did suspect violence could take place.
Even in his drug-addled state at the time, Holgate called 911 immediately after hearing gunshots and did cooperate with
police in the subsequent investigation.
Holgate has worked in the HVAC industry and it was noted he is dedicated to his family and has been drug-free since
September of 2023.
He was said to be an excellent candidate for rehabilitation.
Three others were charged in the murder which occurred after a cocaine purchase from Brissette and a subsequent theft of cocaine.
Marlon McDonald of Oshawa is before the court on a first-degree murder charge and several weapons charges.
Elisha Linscott-Wiltshire of Oshawa also remains before the court on an accessory after the fact to murder charge.
On June 5 after pleading guilty to a manslaughter charge, Douglas Rolfe of Belleville was sentenced to 19 months more in prison.
His sentence was actually 45 months in custody but he was given credit for pre-sentence custody.
