BATTLEFORD - The sentencing decision for a North Battleford man, who previously was pleading guilty to manslaughter in the death of his mother, has been reserved to Dec. 20.
Walter Geering, 48, appeared in shackles at the Court of King's Bench in Battleford on Friday for the start of his sentencing hearing.
According to the previous RCMP report, police responded after receiving a report on June 22, 2022, of an injured individual at a home on 93 Street in North Battleford. Officers and paramedics found a woman who was declared deceased. She has since been identified as 72-year-old Beatrice Geering from North Battleford. Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crime Unit confirmed the victim is the mother of the accused.
In making his submissions, Crown prosecutor Brynn Achtymichuk recommended an eight-year prison sentence. Less time served of 1,254 days for enhanced credit, the accused would have four years and 205 days left to serve in custody. He also suggested a 10-year firearms prohibition and a DNA sample be provided.
Achtymichuk noted that Geering's mother, Beatrice, tried to help Geering get some assistance for his mental illness issues at the time of this "very tragic" event.
He explained that Geering used the blunt end of a rifle to strike his mother, at the time of the incident, and ended up killing her.
Beatrice Geering received two strikes to the face, which was followed by a strike to the chest, in the assault.
Justice D. E. Labach said Geering "lost his temper [during the incident] because he wasn't interested in going for more treatment."
"He reacted inappropriately," the judge said.
Achtymichuk noted that "mental illness can't be ignored" in the case, adding that there is still a balance in suggesting the range of sentencing. "They can't be causing the death of someone."
The victim, Beatrice Geering, was 72 years old so more vulnerable by virtue of her age.
The Crown said that Walter Geering talked about delusions he had and false beliefs about his mother that he held at the time of the incident.
He noted that Geering was suffering from withdrawal symptoms from marijuana use. He added that the psychiatric report on Geering's mental illness talked about schizophrenia as an issue.
Achtymichuk noted that Geering "acted on false beliefs" and hallucinations he was having when he killed his mother.
"Attacking her in her home," the cause of her death, "has upset the entire family and the community."
The Crown added that "significant mental illness was at play" at the time when Geering attacked his mother.
Achtymichuk said that as an aggravating factor, the accused used the firearm as a weapon, even though he did not fire it.
A Victim Impact Statement from the victim's daughter was handed into the court by the Crown for consideration.
Defence lawyer Jonathan Bodvarson instead suggested a sentence of five years, less time served. That would leave Geering with 571 days left to serve.
He noted there could also be probation to follow for two years, so Geering will "continue to get support and treatment." He said Geering could also complete an addictions assessment and abstain from drugs and alcohol, and abide by a curfew for the first six months. Bodvarson also suggested Geering complete an anger management program, be ordered to a firearms ban, and submit a DNA sample.
"He got himself into a situation where mental illness [played a factor]," Bodvarson said.
Geering has been in custody since June of 2022. He is currently in custody at the Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford.
"Our position is reasonable," said Bodvarson. "The Crown is focused on deterrence and renunciation. I [recommend] he will stay at the Saskatchewan Hospital where he has stayed for over a year-and-a-half, being treated for mental illness."
The Defence said Geering was still hearing voices and having hallucinations when he was transferred to the Saskatchewan Hospital, but is hearing voices less often now.
Bodvarson said a five-year sentence is "a fair sentence," based on Geering's limited criminal record and the mental disorder that was at play at the time of the incident.
"The last couple months prior to the death, he completely acted different," Bodvarson said.
Bodvarson explained some of the details when the accused killed his mother.
He said Geering's mother and father were both receiving calls that "there is something wrong with Geering," based on Geering's unusual behaviour.
At the time of the incident, Geering went downstairs into the basement of his mother's home. His mother then followed him into the basement.
The firearm Geering used to hit his mother was being stored in the basement. It wasn't a planned attack.
"He is in a mental break, and he snaps," in a confrontation with his mother, Bodvarson said.
Geering's cannabis use was an aggravating factor in the case, as he was going through the effects of withdrawal.
"He was trying to stop using it," Bodvarson said.
"He had an emotional, mental snap leading up to this incident," the Defence added.
Bodvarson noted that Geering is currently on medication, adding that it would benefit him if he can stay at the Saskatchewan Hospital.
"Walter is not a criminal," he added. "[His] substance use [might have] contributed to his mental break."
He added that Geering is not a high risk to re-offend, as another mitigating factor.
When he addressed the court, Geering said he is sorry for his whole family to have to go through this.
Justice D. E. Labach noted that the accused's case might have been considered for Not Criminally Responsible (NCR), but "he had the wherewithal to do what he did. That's why he pled guilty."
"It's a unique case," Labach said.
"I'm happy to hear you are getting treatment at Saskatchewan Hospital and are benefitting from it," added the judge.
Labach said he will examine both the Crown and Defence's suggestions, and decided to reserve his sentencing decision to Dec. 20 at 10 a.m.
