By Patrick Burles - @PatrickBurles

Sentencing Adjourned for Women Who Admitted to Torturing 18-Year Old

Feb 25, 2016 | 5:17 PM

LETHBRIDGE: The judge will have a range of options when it comes to sentencing three young women, who admitted to torturing an 18-year old woman in August of 2014.

Samantha Oldenburger, Cherise Bruno, and Chanel Umpherville pleaded guilty to charges that include assault causing bodily harm, unlawful confinement and uttering threats late last year, with a sentencing hearing going ahead today.

They admitted that on August 19, 2014, Oldenburger convinced the victim to come out to her family’s farm outside the city. It was Bruno’s idea, as she felt the victim had slighted her. Once there, the three proceeded to tie her up and beat her over the course of several hours. The victim noted that several times they made her believe it was over, only to begin the attack again. They eventually drove her to a rural location and dropped her off, but returned shortly, saying they didn’t mean to take things so far. They brought her back to the farm, made her shower, took photos of her injuries and later dropped her off in the city, but told her that things would get worse if she told anyone.

The victim had to be hospitalized with extensive, but non-life threatening injuries, including bruising to most of her body.

During a victim impact statement, the victim said she suffers from nerve damage, scar tissue and severe anxiety. She continued by saying that she thought they were her friends and that they “Shattered my ability to trust.” She added, “They tortured me over and over again, they made me beg for my life.” The victim and her family ended up moving out of Lethbridge for fear of what would happen after she came forward.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

The Crown is asking for at least one year in jail and up to two years in a federal prison for all three women. The lawyers for Oldenburger and Umpherville suggested either two years of community supervision (house arrest) or 90-days in jail with three years of probation and a period of community service. Bruno’s lawyer admitted that jail time was necessary, asking for three to 12 months in jail.

Judge Derek Redman will make his decision on sentencing on April 21.