idiots wander why we can’t get rid of crime? Maybe , just maybe, it’s because they are putting the blame in the WRONG place!
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PLEA BARGAIN SHOCK

PUBLICATION: The Toronto Sun
DATE: 2004.12.16
EDITION: Final
SECTION: News
PAGE: 10
ILLUSTRATION: 1. photo by Ernest Doroszuk Man linked to Wonderland murder gets year 2. 2 photos MAURINE WILSON, aunt of Jesse Lamonday wipes away tears outside the Newmarket court yesterday after a plea bargain dismissed murder charges against one of the accused in the 21-year-old’s death. Marcel Lamonday, the victim’s father was livid.
BYLINE: JASON BOTCHFORD, TORONTO SUN

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PLEA BARGAIN SHOCK

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A FATHER exploded with anger yesterday in court when the man originally charged with murdering his son was sentenced to one year in prison.

Sirvon Edwards, 22, had been ordered to stand trial after a preliminary inquiry for the first-degree murder of Jesse Lamonday, 21.

But Edwards reached a plea bargain with the Crown attorney that shocked the dead man’s family.

Edwards, of Toronto, pleaded guilty to four counts of weapons offences and the Crown dropped the murder charge. He was sentenced to 50 months in jail yesterday for the weapons offences, but was given 38 months credit for time served — meaning his sentence is one year.

“How can they make deals like this?” Marcel Lamonday said outside court. “It’s inexcusable and disgusting. I feel so betrayed and so helpless. There’s nothing I can do. What kind of system is this? Why wouldn’t they let a jury decide?”

BROKE DOWN

When the sentence was read, the father shouted and stormed out of the courtroom. His son’s girlfriend, Luci Papi, 20, ran out screaming “murder” and crying. Others in the family broke down in tears instantly.

Earlier this year, the Lamondays had cheered in the same Newmarket courthouse when a provincial court judge ordered that Edwards and co-accused Donald Justin Berry, 19, be tried for first-degree murder.

But Crown attorney Doug Kasko said there wasn’t enough evidence to continue with Edwards’ case.

“The admissible evidence is not supportive of a conviction on a charge of murder,” Kasko said in court yesterday.

The court heard that on May 11, 2003 — Mother’s Day — Edwards had threatened Jesse Lamonday on phone messages before he brought a loaded, semi-automatic 9-mm handgun to Canada’s Wonderland looking for a confrontation.

Edwards, known as “the weedman,” claimed Lamonday owed him $10 for an outstanding marijuana debt. One phone message said, “Where’s my money? I want my money tonight or else watch out.”

TOOK GUNS TO PARK

Just hours after the message was left, Lamonday was dead.

Edward’s girlfriend tipped him off that day that Lamonday was at the amusement park with his girlfriend.

Edwards went to the park with pal Berry, who didn’t know Lamonday. Both had loaded handguns. At the time, Edwards was under a probation order that prevented him from carrying a handgun.

After a fist fight was broken up by park security, Berry pulled out a gun and shot Lamonday in the chest in front of dozens of families, court heard. Lamonday died, crumpled over a turnstile while Edwards picked up a stuffed toy Papi had dropped and left the park.

Berry has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced yesterday to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for 12 years.

“(Berry) didn’t even know my son,” Marcel Lamonday said. “He had no problem with Jesse before (Edwards) brought him to Jesse.”

In his judgment yesterday, Justice Ted Minden said Edwards has lived a life premised and dependent on crime.

“Sadly, it would appear the prospects of rehabilitation seem remote,” Minden said.