Gang leader gets 12-years in Surrey Six murders; just 3 left to serve

CTV BC: Surrey Six gangster sentenced to 12 years A former gang leader who helped plan the Surrey Six killings will have just over three years left to serve in a sentence imposed Tuesday.

VANCOUVER -- A former gang leader who helped plan a killing in the Vancouver area that left six dead, including two innocent bystanders, will have just over three years left to serve in a sentence imposed Tuesday.

Quang Vinh Thang (Michael) Le, 28, pleaded guilty last month to conspiracy to commit murder for his role in the October 2007 deaths. He was in court Tuesday for a sentencing hearing that also included emotional victim impact statements from two family members and an apology from Le himself.

The Crown and defence submitted a joint proposal for a 12-year sentence. With credit for time already served, Le, who has been in custody since June 2009, would have just three years, one month left on his sentence.

Le had been standing trial since late September along with Matthew Johnston and Cody Haevischer, whose murder trial is continuing.

Six people were fatally shot in a highrise condominium in Surrey, B.C., on Oct. 19, 2007.

The court heard an agreed statement of facts that said the killing began as an execution of a rival drug trafficker named Corey Lal. Another five victims -- including 55-year-old fireplace repairman Ed Schellenberg and 22-year-old building resident Chris Mohan -- were also killed to eliminate potential witnesses.

Le was originally charged with one count each of conspiracy and first-degree murder, but the murder charge was dropped. His conspiracy conviction is only related to Lal's murder.

Le was one of the leaders of the Red Scorpions gang, the court heard.

The agreed statement of facts said another one of the gang's leaders, Jamie Bacon, who has yet to stand trial, came to Le in September 2007 with a plan to kill Lal after Lal failed to pay a $100,000 "tax."

Initially, Le suggested they rob Lal instead, but later he agreed to the plan, according to the statement of facts, eventually telling Bacon: "Do whatever you want, whatever you need to do."

They sent Johnston, Haevischer and a third man, who can't be named, to carry out the killing, according to the statement of facts.

When it was over, Le was "shocked" to learn six people had been killed, including his longtime friend, 22-year-old Edward Narong, according to the statement of facts.

"Le was originally opposed to the idea of killing Mr. Lal, but ultimately he acceded to the idea," Crown counsel Peter Juk told the court.

"He likely could not have envisioned the end result."

Relatives of several of those murdered prepared victim impact statements for the court, and two of those family members read their statements aloud during the hearing.

Eileen Mohan told the court she was at work on the day of the murders, leaving her son Chris at home, where she believed he would be safe. The Mohans' condo was across the hall from the unit where the murders took place.

Mohan addressed Le directly, telling him that he stole her son's life.

"Mr. Le, you have to realize that by pleading guilty to your crimes, it does not take away the fact that it is too late to bring the day Oct. 19, 2007, back," she said through tears.

"Nor does it heal my soul of losing my only son to your crimes."

Le occasionally turned his eyes toward the floor as he listened to the statements.

Jourdane Lal, who lost her brothers Corey and Michael, said she's been living a "real-life nightmare" since the day of the murders.

She is still haunted by the look on her mother's face when she learned of the killings, Lal told the court, and the family's horror was multiplied two months ago when the trial was shown grisly crime scene photos of the victims.

"My life during this past 74 months has been a series of painfully dreadful days, sleepless nights and defeated times," she said.

Le then addressed the court himself.

"I sincerely apologize to all the victims and to the members of the families for the pain and suffering of my actions," Le said in a low voice.

"I know I do not deserve ... their forgiveness. However, I truly hope that one day in the future, they would find it in their heart to forgive."

Several people stormed out of the courtroom as Le read his apology.

Another person, who has been referred to at the trial simply as Person X, pleaded guilty in 2009, while Bacon is expected to stand trial next year.

None of the allegations against Johnston, Haevischer and Bacon have been proven in court.

The agreed statement of facts presented Tuesday said Johnston, Haevischer and Person X went to the Balmoral Towers condominium complex in Surrey, where Lal rented a "stash house" for drugs and money.

Lal was in the condo, but he wasn't alone.

The statement of facts alleges the killers also encountered another three people with links to the drug trade -- Lal's brother Michael, Edward Narong and Ryan Bartolomeo -- along with Schellenberg, who was servicing the unit's gas fireplace. Mohan lived across the hall, and at some point he was dragged into the condo, as well.

Hoods were placed over their heads and all six were shot. The statement of facts read Tuesday says Haevischer and Person X each shot three people.

Le was formally charged in May 2009, but by then he had fled to his native Vietnam.

He was arrested the following month in Manila. Within two weeks, he was back in Canada.

Le, a Canadian citizen, was born in Vietnam and raised by an aunt until he was nine years old. At that point, he moved to Canada to live with his parents.

He has been involved in the drug trade since his late teens, the court heard.

"That fact is that Mr. Le ... has led a life in crime," said Juk.

Certain aspects of his sentencing hearing are covered by a publication ban.

It was revealed last week that Person X was originally expected to testify at the trial, but the judge hearing the case ruled his testimony inadmissible after a secret hearing earlier this year.

The man pleaded guilty in 2009 to second-degree murder and received a life sentence with no parole for 15 years.