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Sentencing hearing told other operators scared following murder of bus driver

Jun 17, 2019 | 10:04 AM

WINNIPEG — A Crown prosecutor has told a sentencing hearing that the murder of a Winnipeg bus driver has left other drivers and their families terrified

Irvine Jubal Fraser, who was 58, was stabbed multiple times during a fight with Brian Kyle Thomas in February 2017.

A jury found Thomas, who is 25, guilty of second-degree murder earlier this year.

Part of what happened was captured on security cameras that show Fraser telling Thomas to leave the bus several times before the driver grabs the man by his sweater and shoves him off.

The defence did not present evidence during the trial but argued the bus driver provoked the attack.

Second-degree murder carries an automatic sentence of life in prison, and the Crown is asking there be no chance at parole for 12 years.

Fraser’s death prompted calls for increased safety measures on Winnipeg buses, including safety shields for drivers.

The Canadian Press

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