Sentencing Submissions Delivered for David and Collet Stephan
LETHBRIDGE – The Crown and defence are far apart when it comes to sentencing recommendations for David and Collet Stephan.
The couple was convicted of failing to provide the necessaries of life by a jury in April, in connection with the bacterial meningitis death of their 18-month old son Ezekiel in March of 2012.
The Crown is seeking a range of three to 4.5 years in prison, while the defence is asking for no jail time or a Conditional Sentence Order (house arrest).
The defence opened the sentencing hearing Thursday morning by having Collet take the stand. Through tears, she said the entire legal process has forced her to relive the worst day of her life, causing her to deal with depression, anxiety, panic attacks and nightmares. She stated that it put a strain on her marriage with David, adding that it has been extremely difficult for their three children. She told the court that her eight year old son Ezra became angry and violent after Ezekiel’s death, and that the same problems returned around the time of the trial.