A sentencing judge must give appropriate weight to a supportive victim impact statement, including the victim's forgiveness and willingness to assist rehabilitation, and must not treat such matters as of doubtful relevance. Where the Crown does not challenge the explanation for the absence of a treating psychologist and does not invite adverse inferences, the failure to call that witness cannot of itself depreciate the value of a consulting psychologist's evidence. Personality disorders falling short of serious psychiatric illness may moderate the need for general and specific deterrence, but the onus is on the offender to demonstrate that the condition reduced moral culpability or the appropriateness of deterrence.
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