Courtroom brought to tears as victim’s mom pleads with teen in library killing

Courtroom brought to tears as victim’s mom pleads with teen in library killing

A grieving woman’s emotional plea that a teen arrested in her son’s killing turn his life around saw a courtroom brought to tears Friday and two mothers united by pain find comfort in each other’s arms.

The 16-year-old boy, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter for his part in the Dec. 11, 2022 slaying of 28-year-old Tyree Cayer in the Millennium Library, was sentenced to three years of custody and community supervision, the maximum sentence allowed under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The teen was one of four youths to be arrested in the killing and the second to be sentenced.

Sitting in the prisoner’s box, he appeared sombre with little visible change in emotion throughout much of the hearing. Then Tania Cayer told court how her life has been forever changed by her son’s death, how hope for a better future for her son has been replaced by despair.

The teen lowered his head. Pain and tears marked his face.

“Although my head wants you locked away forever, I know that’s not the answer,” Cayer told him.

“You owe your family, but mostly you owe him, Tyree, because had you met him, he would have been your bro,” Cayer said above the sound of soft crying coming from members of the boy’s family.

“You owe him to be better,” Cayer said. “Take the opportunity, please, because Tyree doesn’t have it. Connect with an elder, embrace your culture, make your ancestors proud.”

Moments later, during a court break, the boy’s mother, still crying, walked hesitantly toward Cayer.

“I just want to give you a hug,” the woman said. “I am so sorry.”

And with that, they embraced.

“He’s going to need you, he’s going to need you all,” Cayer said through tears.

More of the boy’s family members followed; they hugged and offered words of apology to Cayer and her mother.

Earlier, Crown attorney David Burland detailed the circumstances of the killing in an agreed statement of facts he read out in court. A publication ban prohibits disclosing details of the killing as the boy’s co-accused remain before the courts.

Cayer was stabbed multiple times during an altercation with several male youths inside the library at about 4:30 p.m., the Free Press reported at the time.

“This was an incident that shocked people across the country,” Burland said. “The library is supposed to be a safe gathering place for everyone. It was a communal place that was violated and forever changed that day.”

Provincial court Judge Julie Frederickson agreed to a joint Crown and defence recommendation that the boy serve his sentence under an intensive rehabilitative custody and supervision order. The program allows participants access to one-on-one counselling, occupational therapy, tutoring and other specialized services at a cost of $100,000 a year.

Participants must be guilty of a serious violent offence, suffer from a mental illness or disorder, and have a treatment program that case workers believe will reduce their risk to the public.

Court heard the teen has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and has issues with anger and impulsivity.

Tyree’s death “is not something he ever expected to occur or wanted to happen,” said defence lawyer Parker Neil.

A 15-year-old co-accused pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced in October to seven years of custody and community supervision.

Two teen co-accused have pleaded guilty to manslaughter and will be sentenced at a later date.

Cayer was a talented teen athlete and a star on both offence and defence for Elmwood High School’s football team. He appeared destined for a professional career before a series of concussions and other injuries sidelined his dreams.

Cayer struggled with mental-health issues, including bipolar disorder, and was frequently victimized by people he tried to help, Tania Cayer said.

“He thought it was his purpose in life to help everyone,” she said.

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