Misha Pavelick’s killer to serve 7-year sentence, judge rules

The ongoing trial of a man accused for second-degree murder of 19 year-old Misha Pavelick is coming to an end. A mural of Pavelick was painted in the Cathedral Area over the course of the nearly 20 year investigation. (Sierra D’Souza Butts/CTV News)

The man convicted of fatally stabbing Misha Pavelick in 2006 will serve the maximum youth sentence, seven years, four of which will be spent behind bars.

Justice Catherine Dawson issued her decision on Tuesday. The now 37-year-old man is serving a youth sentence, due to the fact he was 17 when the incident took place.

“I find the degree of the culpable offence of [the man] to be the highest form of the spectrum,” Dawson read in court, when laying out her decision.

The man will not receive credit for time already served in prison, with Dawson noting the man’s need for “accountability, sustained programming and ongoing education.”

The first four years of his sentence will be spent behind bars at an adult facility, while the remaining three years will be spent in the community under supervision.

Other conditions of his sentence include prohibiting him from consuming alcohol and owning weapons for a period beginning the day of sentencing and ending 10 years from when he completes his sentence.

Pavelick was 19-years-old when he was fatally stabbed at a graduation party at the Kinookimaw Campground near Regina Beach on May 21, 2006.

On Monday, Dawson revealed the man will receive a youth sentence for second-degree murder. The decision comes after the Crown petitioned to have the man sentenced as an adult, following the three-week trial where a 12-member jury found the man guilty last November.

The adult sentence for second-degree murder holds a penalty of life in prison with no chance of parole for 10 years. The convicted man has been in police custody since October 2024.

Speaking to reporters after the decision, Crown prosecutor Adam Breker said he was “satisfied” with the court’s decision.

“It was obviously a very long process getting to today. We’re satisfied with the outcome from Justice Dawson this afternoon,” he said, adding he was not entirely surprised the Crown’s attempt at an adult sentence was rejected.

“We’re relieved that we were able to bring this matter to court, that the facts of this incident were covered and that someone’s been finally held accountable, albeit a long, long time after.”

Defence lawyer Andrew Hitchcock said there is potential to appeal.

“We’re contemplating. He’s got 30 days to decide, but there’s a lot of things to weigh in,” he explained. “I certainly think he has grounds to appeal, but it’s going to be his decision.”

With files from David Prisciak