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Jeff Labine, tbnewswatch.com
Defense lawyer Christ Watkins is looking for his client Nicholas Webber to receive five to nine years for the role he played in the death of 54-year-old Robert Topping.
THUNDER BAY -- Nicholas Webber’s lawyer says his client has taken responsibility and is remorseful for the role he played in the death of a 54-year-old-man in 2011.
The hearing for Webber wrapped up Wednesday at the Thunder Bay Superior Court of Justice.
Webber was found guilty of manslaughter in connection to the death of Robert Topping. Although Judge Doug Shaw found him guilty, sentencing for Webber will have to wait until Feb. 11.
Webber was also found guilty of break and enter.
During the hearing, Webber himself took the stand to give a statement. His lawyer, Chris Watkins, said that his statement and pleading guilty to manslaughter showed he was taking responsibility for his actions and showed regret.
“After he realized that he had been in custody for two years, he converted to Christianity and in a major way,” Watkins said.
“He has spent the last two years taking programs and this conversion to this very strong belief in God, in Jesus and Christianity has really, I think, redefined Mr. Webber. He felt that he had to take responsibility for his role. He also felt it was important to apologies in court to the family.”
Police charged Webber along with Cody Thompson, who died while in custody, Christopher Hawk and Sheldon Wabason.
The charges follow an incident where four men broke into a house on Minnesota Street in March 2011. The four men broke into the home and when Topping arrived, they confronted him.
During that confrontation, Topping was stabbed, and died of the result of the wounds he sustained.
Watkins said he’s looking jail time between five to nine years plus time served for the 21 months he spent in the Thunder Bay District Jail.
The Crown is seeking a jail time of 10 to 12 years plus time served.
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