NANAIMO — Crown counsel is asking for prison sentences in the seven to nine year range for two men convicted of manslaughter for the shocking stabbing death of a man on Nanaimo’s waterfront in 2022.
In B.C. Supreme Court in Nanaimo on Tuesday, Jan 21 Crown prosecutor Nick Barber made the sentencing recommendation for Mark Jayden Harrison and Aiden Matthew William Bell who were convicted last August of manslaughter in connection to the death of a 29-year-old man.
Barber told the hearing evidence suggests Bell stabbed Fred Parsons to death, while Harrison unleashed bear spray during the onslaught.
The trial heard the victim’s blood was located on Bell’s jacket during the night in question.
Parsons was pronounced dead in hospital shortly after being stabbed during a confrontation with a small group of people unknown to him as the victim, his girlfriend and another friend were using Maffeo Sutton Park’s playground late on the evening of Sept. 5, 2022 during the tail-end of Labour Day long weekend.
Harrison of Nanaimo and Bell of Parksville, now both 21-years-old, were convicted by an 11-member jury late Tuesday, Aug. 6 for the stabbing death of Parsons.
The jury accepted the Crown’s theory of video evidence suggesting three people entered and left the park during the timeframe of the attack and that it was beyond reasonable doubt that Bell and Harrison were complicit in Parsons’ death.
Fred Parsons, described as a positive high-functioning man on the autism spectrum was inexplicably stabbed to death on Nanaimo’s waterfront (Submitted photo)Evidence from Parsons’ girlfriend stated both males confronted Fred, however she was unclear regarding the specific force used amongst the commotion of bear spray being unleashed.
Harrison has been in custody since being charged several days after the incident, while Bell has been freed on bail with release conditions.
The Tuesday sentencing hearing revealed that Bell breached his probation conditions on multiple occasions, including disobeying curfew conditions.
Bell had no prior record, while Harrison racked up an extensive criminal history as a youth offender dating back to 2019.
Barber said Bell attempted to downplay his role in the offence during a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation.
Harrison has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, but Barber argued the condition is not seen as a significant factor in relation to his decision-making, stating Harrison has an “average” cognitive function in relation to his FAS.
The hearing took place in a full court room, including a packed gallery which sent reporters into vacant jury seats.
Powerful victim impact statements were made to conclude the morning session, including from Parsons’ girlfriend, mother and grandfather.
Harrison was seated in the enclosed prisoners’ box, while Bell was seated in chair beside the co-offender, just a few feet away from several family and friends of the victim.
Sentencing submissions from legal counsel representing both offenders is expected Tuesday afternoon.
This article will be updated as the afternoon court session progresses.
Ultimately it’s up to veteran high court justice Robin Baird to determine the punishments for both offenders.
While the maximum penalty for manslaughter under the Criminal Code of Canada is life in prison, sentences for the offence are typically less than 10 years in prison.
Sentencing arguments for two men convicted of manslaughter in the stabbing death of a Nanaimo man took place on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at B.C. Supreme Court in Nanaimo (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)Background
At the time of Parsons’ death, Nanaimo RCMP stated a small group of people were approached by another group of young people when a confrontation broke out late in the evening at Maffeo Sutton Park.
Bear spray was used towards the group, likely contributing to some inconsistencies in witness statements.
Harrison originally faced a second-degree murder charge, while Bell was charged with a pair of weapons offences.
Charges against the pair were adjusted in November 2022 as a result of the continuing investigation with new information presented.
The first day of the manslaughter trial was on July 22 in B.C. Supreme Court in Nanaimo, where jurors were shown video surveillance footage of the night in question.
Day two of the trial featured an RCMP forensic analyst who tested multiple items for evidence of blood, including the suspect’s clothing, and items found at the crime scene.
On Tuesday, July 30 court heard from the girlfriend of Parsons who described in detail the night of the attack, saying how her group of friends just wanted to play on the playground when they were confronted by three people.
Neither Bell or Harrison testified in their own defence.
Local news. Delivered. Free. Subscribe to our daily news wrap and get our top local stories delivered to your email inbox every evening.
info@nanaimonewsnow.com
Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook
