The anguished pleas of Corey Meloche’s parents asking Justice Thomas Carey not to incarcerate their daughter’s longtime friend Trevor Skeates for his role in her death in a snowmobiling accident in Amherstburg four years ago were answered Wednesday.
Trevor Skeates is shown Wed. April 16, 2014, after being sentenced regarding a snowmobiling accident in Amherstburg that claim the life of a friend. (DAN JANISSE/The Windsor Star)
Skeates, who was convicted earlier this year of driving the snowmobile with a blood-alcohol level of more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, was given a $2,000 fine, 12 months on probation and an 18-month driving ban.
In addition he’ll have to pay an undisclosed victim surcharge fine. Skeates has six months to pay the fines.
“Our lives changed forever that night,” the Meloches wrote in a letter.
“We feel he (Skeates) does feel remorse. We don’t blame Trevor.
“We’ve kept in contact with him and will continue to keep in contact with him. We believe it was truly a tragic accident.
“We are hopeful Trevor has no jail time associated with your sentencing.”
The Meloches had planned to attend the sentencing to support Skeates, but couldn’t make it due to their son’s out-of-town hockey tournament. However, they did forward another message of support to Skeates.
Throughout the sentencing, Skeates sat bolt upright in his chair with his eyes locked on Carey.
As chunks of the supportive letters were read and details of that night rehashed, Skeates’ lower lip frequently quivered with emotion before he’d purse his lips to regain his composure.
“I’d like to thank my family and friends for their support, especially the Meloches for their support,” said Skeates in his only comments of the day.
Carey repeatedly cited the Meloche’s support throughout Skeates’ four-year trial as a major mitigating factor in his sentencing. He commended Skeates, who works for a local tool and die firm, for abstaining from alcohol since that fateful night.
He also acknowledged the avalanche of letters from Skeates’ family, friends and employers, along with a laudatory pre-sentencing report that made him decide not to hand down a harsher sentence.
About 20 members and friends of the Skeates and Meloche families were in attendance hanging on every word Carey uttered to break the quiet tension hanging heavy in the courtroom.
“Obviously you have great support,” Carey said. “It’s important you don’t let them down.
“The Meloche family has given you forgiveness and their love. You’re very fortunate.
“You will have the rest of your life to reflect on your involvement in the loss of your friend.”
Trevor Skeates is shown Wed. April 16, 2014, after being sentenced regarding a snowmobiling accident in Amherstburg that claim the life of a friend. Skeates was given a $2,000 fine, 12 months on probation and an 18-month driving ban. (DAN JANISSE/The Windsor Star)
Assistant crown attorney Tim Kavanaugh, who had asked for six-month jail sentence, said the crown doesn’t plan to appeal the case and the sentencing isn’t outside the ranges seen in such matters.
However, Kavanaugh offered an interesting perspective and suggestion about the conclusions to be drawn from the case.
“What strikes me, anyone who has young, teenaged children, they all should drive out to 9th Concession (South) and take a look at the memorial to Corey Meloche,” Kavanaugh said. “It’s very touching.
“Anything can happen to anyone at any time.”
Skeates’ lawyer Pat Ducharme expressed his client’s satisfaction over the outcome.
“We’re very pleased with the sentence,” Ducharme said.
“I think (the Meloche’s support) was a significant factor in the sentencing. It’s not often you have a case where the family members of the deceased stand up for the accused.
“Their support has been there from Day 1.”
Ducharme said this is only the fourth time in a 37-year legal career he’s experienced such support.
When asked if the sentence sent a confusing message about drinking and driving, Ducharme said a key pivot point in this case was that the crown wasn’t able to establish that alcohol was the reason for the accident. A blood test showed Skeates’ had at least 135 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood at the time of the crash.
Carey cited patchy fog, unfamiliar terrain and darkness among the factors in creating reasonable doubt about the crash’s cause.
“Anytime someone consumes alcohol and operates a motorized vehicle there’s a risk,” Ducharme said.
“It was established alcohol wasn’t a significant factor (in causing the crash). Some accidents are just accidents.”
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