Jennifer Cusworth’s parents read their victim impact statements together, describing the life of a vibrant, promising, and sorely missed 19-year-old woman.
“Her spirit, her essence, her love, her soul, that will never die,” said her mother, Jean Cusworth, in an emotional statement.
Jennifer Cusworth’s life was cut short by a brutal and violent event after a house party, her body found in a ditch in what was then the outskirts of Kelowna.
It was on October 17th 1993 when Cusworth’s body was found. Evidence has supported that Cusworth was sexually assaulted, strangled, and sustained several blows to the head.
No arrests were made in connection to her case until 2009 when DNA evidence linked Neil George Snelson to the crime scene.
Snelson was found guilty of manslaughter in a Kelowna courtroom back in 2011 and was in custody until June of last year, when he was granted bail. Since then he has been living under house arrest in Lake Country, B.C.
A re-trial in Kamloops found Snelson guilty of manslaughter on June 17th, 2015.
During Thursday’s deliberations, the Crown and Snelson’s lawyer reviewed crucial evidence and made educated suggestions as to how long Snelson should serve in prison. While Crown prosecutor Iian Currie suggested between 15 to 18 years, Snelson’s lawyer, Richard Fowler, produced quite a different figure.
Fowler suggested between 10 to 12 years stating, “It would not be unfit to sentence him to the lower end of that range.” In addition, he stated since Snelson had served over 3,000 days in prison, to account for time served, he should only face up to two years in jail. Fowler added a two year jail sentence would allow Snelson to rekindle a connection with his children.
Justice Dley is expected to make his final decision on Wednesday, September 16th.
