GANDER -
Jonathan Roger Whiteway, age 23, appeared expressionless and in shackles as he entered Supreme Court on March 18 for his arraignment.
The charge Whiteway faced was in relation to the first-degree murder charge in the March 19, 2008 shooting death of his stepmother Dianne Whiteway.
Justice Raymond Whalen read the charge to Whiteway to ensure he understood it completely. Whiteway's lawyer Ray Kuszel-ewski informed Justice Whalen that his client would enter a guilty plea to the lesser offense of second-degree murder. Crown prosecutor Tina Welsh and Justice Whalen accepted the plea. Second-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence with no eligibility for parole for at least 10 years.
The presentation of the facts pertaining to the case will take place on June 3 at 11 a.m. in Supreme Court. A full-day has been set aside for this matter, at the request of the Crown. Justice Whalen informed the court that a date would then be set for sentencing.
Justice Whalen also requested a pre-sentence report to be completed in a timely fashion. Whiteway will remain in custody.
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