A sentencing hearing has taken place for two of the four people convicted in the death of Nature Duperron.
The 25-year-old mother of three was kidnapped in Edmonton, robbed, and beaten in a vehicle, forcibly fed and injected with fentanyl along with methamphetamines, and left to die in the woods near Hinton on April 7, 2019.
Her body was found handcuffed near Highway 16 on April 23, 2019, after witness Bret Desjarlais led police to the scene of the crime.
Last September, Grayson Eashappie and Kala Bajusz both pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the case.
However, Buddy Ray Underwood and Tyra Muskego attended a trial last October.
Underwood was found guilty of second-degree murder, forcible confinement, and kidnapping in Duperron’s death, and Muskego was found guilty of manslaughter, robbery, and forcible confinement.
The two-day sentencing hearing for Underwood and Muskego took place this week and court heard details from Gladue Reports for both individuals.
Underwoods traumatic childhood was brought to light and included violence and Sexual assault along with drug use with family members.
A statement was ready by Muskego’s attorney and mentioned guilt, shame and apologies for her wrong doings.
Victim Impact statements were also read from the victims family members and mentioned the victims son, who still cries at night for his mother.
The Victim’s mother also talked about the pain of knowing that her daughter’s killers were also Indigenous.
Prosecutors are seeking a 15-year sentence for Muskego while her attorney is arguing for a five-to nine-year sentence while The Crown is asking for no parole eligibility for Underwood for 22 years with the Second-degree murder charge and an automatic life sentence.
The pair is expected to be sentenced by Justice Graesser on Sept. 11.
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