The first teen sentenced in the swarming death of Kenneth Lee in 2022 will not face any more jail time and instead participate in a community-based program.
A judge ruled Monday that the girl, then 13 years old, was credited for 15 months of effective pre-trial custody and will serve another 15 months of probation under an Intensive Support and Supervision Program.
Justice David Stewart Rose said the sentence reflects that the teen has taken accountability for her actions by pleading guilty, and experienced institutional malfeasance while in custody, such as being forced to strip naked during searches.
Police have alleged Lee, who was 59 and living in the city’s shelter system, died after he was swarmed and stabbed by a group of girls in Toronto’s downtown core on Dec. 18, 2022.
Seven other teens who were between the ages of 13 and 16 at the time were arrested and charged in the case.
Three others pleaded guilty in the case — two to manslaughter and one to assault causing bodily harm. Another four are set to stand trial next year — three for second-degree murder and one for manslaughter.