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Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Pair beat man to train for contest, then left him to die

A man and his nephew who drunkenly beat a man to death as a training exercise for a fight contest have been sentenced in Battleford to lengthy prison terms.

Anthony Wapass, 47, was jumped without warning by Russel Clifford Paddy and his nephew Jamie Lindsay Paddy in June 2007 on the Thunderchild First Nation, near the community of Turtleford, about 230 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon.

Court was told the two attackers had been talking about how the younger one could train to become a fight-night champion, and the attack followed.

They were originally charged with first-degree murder, but their cases recently concluded with convictions for lesser offences. Jamie Paddy, now 22, entered a guilty plea to manslaughter during a court appearance in February.

His co-accused and uncle, Russel Paddy, now 40, opted for a trial before a jury. After a three week trial in April and May, the jury returned a verdict of guilty to second-degree murder.

Crown prosecutor Nicole Leinenweber told CBC News on Tuesday that she presented evidence to the jury that Wapass suffered a vicious beating. A pathologist said Wapass had 26 fractures on his 24 ribs. There were massive head wounds that left bruises on his brain and his liver was damaged in the attack.

The prosecutor said the uncle and nephew had been drinking on the day in question and were talking about the younger man participating in a fight contest.

Attack was unprovoked

Leinenweber said the men came upon Wapass, who was walking along a reserve road, and jumped him. The younger man was bragging about being tough. She said Wapass did not fight back and was knocked cold by the first blow.

The Crown said the attack, which included kicking, stomping and punches, was severe but Wapass was still alive. The two men left him in a ditch beside the road.

Later, according to the Crown, the men returned to show off the victim to two teenage girls.

That group also left Wapass behind, still unconscious.

Then, the two Paddy's returned to the scene and dragged Wapass 100 metres to a shallow slough. He was left, face down, in a pool of water less than half a metre deep.

Leinenweber said it was likely the men moved the victim over concern that the girls would report what they saw. In fact, one of the girls did call 911.

The nephew, Jamie Paddy, was sentenced to 11 years in prison. His total time behind bars will be reduced by three years and four months, after the judge gave him credit for pre-trial custody time.

His uncle Russel Paddy was sentenced on May 13 to life in prison with no chance at parole for 14 years. He has 30 days in which to appeal his conviction.