9-year jail sentence handed to man involved in 2021 New Westminster murder

A 38-year-old man who was on probation when he and his brother were involved in a fatal stabbing in New Westminster two years ago has been handed a nine-and-a-half-year jail sentence.

Curtis Crossley and his brother Ryan Crossley were each charged with second-degree murder after 51-year-old Robert Powshuk received fatal stab wounds following a confrontation between the three men in front of the Elks Club.

After the fatal confrontation, Powshuk survived long enough to enter a Waves Coffee Shop, where someone called 911. He eventually died of cardiac arrest in the hospital.

Taking into account time Curtis was incarcerated pre-sentence, the judge said he will serve another six-and-a-half years behind bars.

According to the reasons for the sentence, the judge said Powshuk was defenceless throughout the attack.

“There is no question that the offence for which Curtis Crossley has pled guilty is grave. Mr. Powshuk was savagely attacked – by Curtis Crossley and his brother,” the judge wrote.

The judge went on to say the degree to which Curtis Crossley can be morally blamed is tempered by factors including his mental health issues, limited cognitive abilities, and history of substance abuse.

Curtis Crossley, who had already spent time in jail for manslaughter and a home invasion in 2005, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in this case.

Ryan Crossley was convicted of second-degree murder earlier this year.

With files from Hana Mae Nassar.