Gangster Jamie Bacon gets 18 years for part in Surrey Six murders

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Former Red Scorpions gang leader Jamie Bacon has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for his part in the Surrey Six killings in October of 2007.

But with time already served, he will spend five years and seven months behind bars.

Bacon pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit murder and one count of counselling to commit murder involving a separate shooting.

Bacon pleaded guilty to 1 count of conspiracy to commit murder and 1 count of counselling to commit murder involving a separate shooting.
During sentencing, relatives of #SurreySix victims, including @eileen_mohan who lost her innocent son Christopher, wept in court. @NEWS1130

— Marcella Bernardo (@MBernardoNews) September 11, 2020

During sentencing, relatives of the Surrey Six victims, including Eileen Mohan — who lost her son Christopher in the shootings — wept in court.

Bacon pleaded guilty in July to one count of conspiracy to murder Corey Lal in the case. The 35-year-old man also pleaded guilty to one count of counselling to commit murder in a separate case involving the shooting of a man who survived an attack on Dec. 31, 2008.

Crown and defence lawyers submitted a joint sentencing recommendation to Justice Kathleen Ker of the B.C. Supreme Court that includes 18 years for conspiracy to murder and 10 years for counselling to commit murder to be served concurrently.

Ker called the murders “appalling” with “Six men forced to lay face down and shot in the head” at the Balmoral Tower nearly 13 years ago.

“To put this in some context, two and a half years ago the judicial stay of proceedings ended the Surrey Six prosecution against Mr. Bacon just under 18 months ago,” said Dan MacLauchlan, with the B.C. Prosecution Service.

READ ALSO:

• Jamie Bacon pleads guilty in Surrey Six shootings

• Mother of Surrey Six shooting victim speaks at Vancouver sentencing hearing

• Surrey Six shooting victim’s mother disappointed at reports of Jamie Bacon plea deal

• Jamie Bacon to face new trial in Surrey Six case after appeal allowed by court

• B.C. gang leader Jamie Bacon to be sentenced Friday in Surrey Six case

“The counseling charges against Mr. Bacon ended in a mistrial. Not withstanding the setbacks, the investigative team and the prosecution team worked tirelessly to reinstate and renew these prosecutions. But there was never a certainty of conviction following a trial. These cases had their issues, their complications and their challenges. These offenses cast a pall over our communities. They brought incomprehensible anguish and pain to the many lives that were touched by this terrible tragedy. It’s our hope that the resolution today will bring some small measure of certainty solace and finality to the families of the victims, and to the larger community.”

A first-degree murder charge in connection with the Surrey Six case was stayed as part of the plea deal.

Police have said two of the Surrey Six victims — Chris Mohan, who lived on the floor where the killings occurred, and Ed Schellenberg, a maintenance worker — were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

But the other four victims  — Corey Lal, his brother Michael Lal, and associates Eddie Narong and Ryan Bartolomeo — were targeted.

Eileen Mohan previously suggested Bacon had no choice other than a plea after losing an appeal.

Looking forward to having my day with Jamie Bacon tomorrow at 10am courtroom 20. Reading my statement For my Son Christopher-God give me strength, my [heart] is bleeding pic.twitter.com/wZv3ovXTfs

— Eileen Mohan (@eileen_mohan) August 27, 2020

She was emotional outside the courthouse Friday, struggling to accept the sentencing decision.

“You know, Mr. Bacon gets to return home to his mother’s arms,” she said. “Today we celebrated his life instead of celebrating Christopher.”

Mohan added the voices of the victims’ families — who have impact statements — were shut out from the judicial process.

Mohan said shes’ written to the prime minister, justice minister, premier and attorney general, asking them to look further at the case and for change.

“Our laws need to come into the 21st Century to recognize the crimes of today,” she added.

“How do we change laws so that families like us, innocent families like us whose lives are so shattered, so we don’t have to stand at the doorstep of the courts, begging for justice,” Mohan said through tears.

She said the prime minister’s office wrote back to her, indicating her request is on the minister of justice’s table.

“I haven’t stopped fighting and I won’t stop fighting for justice for Christopher, and I won’t give up,” Mohan added. “I’m going to make a change before I die.”

She plans to be back in court on Oct. 14, when Cody Haevischer and Matthew Johnston will have appeals of their convictions in the Surrey Six case heard.

“I want to respect the process, but I think the process is not expecting us in return,” Mohan said.