During Thursday's sentencing hearing for a string of robbery and weapons charges related to a south-end Barrie shooting and attempted carjacking, the lawyer for Michael Williams insisted in a local courtroom that her client is an introvert.
But Nadia Chaabane’s description of her client belied the violence he unleashed when he shot a 25-year-old Barrie man on Country Lane on a clear, spring day on June 7, 2022, near Mapleview Drive East.
Williams has pleaded guilty and the Crown is seeking a 10-year prison sentence.
Chaabane has countered with a request of six years for her 20-year-old client, who was 18 at the time of the shooting.
In her submissions, Chaabane cited a rough family background, growing up in poverty in one of Toronto’s most troubled neighbourhoods, where his lawyer said he witnessed a close friend being shot to death when he was 15.
“In (custody), he has (come to realize) ‘I’m not like other people in here,'” Chaabane said.
Williams' crimes are also unlike most that come before the court. Gun violence is still relatively rare in Barrie, and it's even more uncommon for a shooting involving such a young defendant in an upscale neighbourhood where it took place.
Crown attorney Indy Kandola made that argument before Ontario Court Justice Cecile Applegate.
"In broad daylight, in a peaceful neighbourhood, (Williams) sits and waits for his target, approaches him and shoots him," Kandola told the court.
At the time, Williams was on probation and subject to a weapons ban.
According to Kandola’s submissions to the court, Williams was armed with a loaded Glock and fired a single shot into the victim, who was sitting in his luxury sedan.
Though the Crown offered no background regarding motive on Thursday, police said at the time that Williams and a 14-year-old boy were trying to steal the victim’s car.
According to police, the victim escaped and managed to drive himself to a nearby plaza where first-responders treated him. He was then treated at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) and transferred to a Toronto trauma centre. The man survived without lasting injuries.
Neither the victim nor any Williams supporters were in court on Thursday, which is rare for a proceeding for such a serious crime. The lone person in the body of the court was a reporter.
Kandola gave a short – as far as most sentencing submissions go – but impassioned plea for Williams’ sentence to exceed the mandatory minimum of seven years.
“It cannot be overstated that he had just been sentenced (for a previous crime),” Kandola told court.
In her submissions, Chaabane also made the case of the unique negative circumstances young Black men (Williams is Black) face and should be considered, in line with recent case law in passing sentences.
Kandola acknowledged those facts, but was otherwise unconvinced.
“Of course (issues regarding race) should be considered, but (other factors) trump that," Kandola said.
Williams is also facing other charges in Toronto. His trial begins Feb. 10 and is expected to last three weeks.
A combination of those unresolved legal issues in Toronto and other scheduling factors in Barrie meant sentencing was put over until Jan 28.
Williams, who is being held at Central North Correctional Centre in Penetanguishene, returns to Barrie court at that time, when it's expected how much enhanced credit for pre-trial custody and other procedural matters will be discussed.
Applegate did not confirm when she will formally pass sentence, but it could happen the same day.
