The 25-year standard non-parole period for murder of a person under 18 applies in full regardless of the narrow age gap between offender and victim; however, the offender's youth remains a relevant sentencing factor through the instinctive synthesis. A sentencing judge is not required to expressly cite s 21A aggravating factors by paragraph number or statutory language provided the substance of those factors is addressed in the sentencing remarks. A combined discount of 45% for an early guilty plea and significant future assistance to authorities is not inherently excessive.
The full text is available to signed-in members, including the 4 later cases that cite this judgment.
2 of the 4 citing cases carry a classified treatment. How each court treated it is available to signed-in members.