The mother of a young Indigenous woman told a Winnipeg courtroom she’s been living a ‘nightmare’ since her daughter was found beaten to death on a First Nation in Manitoba.
“How can my only daughter be replaced?” Delores Daniels said tearfully as she read from her victim impact statement. “She was my best friend.”
Serena McKay’s body was found outside a home on Sagkeeng First Nation in April 2017. The 19-year-old was attending high school in the community and lived nearby.
The brutal beating was filmed and posted to social media. Two teenage girls, who were 16 and 17 at the time, were arrested after the videos were posted. They cannot be named because they were underage at the time of the attack.
The 16-year-old, who has since turned 17, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in January. The Crown is asking for an adult sentence of seven years in jail, while defense is requesting a youth sentence of three years. The teen has been in custody for just over a year. An adult sentence would see the teen in jail for another five years with time served. A youth sentence would see the teen released later this year.
Crown attorney Jennifer Comack said the teen had the “moral capacity of an adult at the time of the offence.”
“She was raised to know right from wrong…taught the difference, and she just didn’t do it,” said Comack.
The court has previously heard McKay was at a house party with the two teens when an argument over alcohol occurred. McKay was kicked out of the party. Not long after she was physically attacked.
According to autopsy results McKay had 67 documented injuries.
Comack said the attack, “not only shocked but disgusted an entire country.”
Earlier this month the 17-year-old, who is now 18, was sentenced to just over three years for her involvement. She pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
Sentencing will continue Tuesday morning.
