A Cote-des-Neiges man who was convicted of killing his neighbour was handed a life sentence on Wednesday, but could be out of prison in just a decade.
Last month, Amalan Thandapanithesigar was found guilty of second-degree murder in the killing of Jeyarasan Manikarajah.
In June 2014, Thandapanithesigar’s wife complained that Manikarajah had been flirting with her. During a verbal altercation between the two men, Manikarajah called Thandapanithesigar several names, sparking a fight, during which he was killed.
Second degree murder carries an automatic life sentence, but those convicted are eligible to apply for parole after a time determined by a judge. On Wednesday, the judge rules Thandapanithesigar can apply after 13 years. Since he has already been in prison for three years, he will be eligible for parole in 2027.
Thandapanithesigar pleaded for leniency, saying “I’m very, very sorry. I’m not a killer. I wanted to come to Canada, I didn’t want to kill anyone. I’m really sorry for the family.”
He also addressed the victim’s daughter, telling her “I never had the intention of killing your father. You know me.”
The prosecution was asking that Thandapanithesigar not be eligible for parole for 17 years.
“He murdered a refugee, a man who fled his own country to be saved from hardship, only to be murdered by someone from his own community,” the Crown told the court.
In their decision, the judge said Thandapanithesigar had placed honour above human life.
“This was a vicious and extremely brutal attack,” they said. “After killing his victim, he went to drink beer as if nothing had happened. That is disturbing.”
The judge added that Thandapanithesigar kept a wife and children from growing up without a husband and father.
In a statement, Manikarajah’s daughter said the murder had left an impact on her family that will last forever.
“Our life is very different since we got the news of my father’s death at the police station,” she said. “It all happened very fast, it’s as if our family was pushed off a cliff.”
