'I despise myself everyday': Teen guilty of manslaughter apologizes to Serena McKay's family

The teenage girl who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in Serena McKay's fatal beating offered an apology to McKay's family in a Winnipeg courtroom.

"I took what must have meant the entire world to you, Serena's gifted and blessed life," the girl said Tuesday. "I can never be at peace with myself knowing what I've done ... I despise myself everyday for letting it get that far."

She told court she feels both guilt and shame and wants to take responsibility for the "missing piece" in their lives.

McKay's body was found on Manitoba's Sagkeeng First Nation on April 23, 2017. A pathologist said the 19-year-old likely died of hypothermia, unable to seek protection from the cold because of her injuries and the level of alcohol in her system. Two teenage girls, who were 16 and 17, were arrested.

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The older teen was sentenced earlier this month to just over three years in jail.

The younger girl, who has since turned 17, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in January and is the subject of sentencing hearings this week. 

Teen a 'panicked young person'

On Tuesday, the teen's defence lawyer painted his client as a "panicked young person" who should be sentenced as a youth.

James Wood recommended a Manitoba provincial court judge impose the maximum youth sentence of three years for manslaughter, without credit for the time the teen has already served in custody. He also asked she be required to complete an intensive rehabilitation program to address her unresolved trauma and addiction issues. 

"Her actions demonstrate a scared, panicked young person who became involved in a very serious matter," Wood told court Tuesday, adding an adult sentence would be inappropriate.

The Crown has argued the teen led the attack and should be sentenced to seven years in custody as an adult.

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But the teen's defence lawyer pointed to a pre-sentence psychiatric assessment of the girl which indicated she had the moral capacity of an adolescent and was prone to poor decision-making.

Wood said the girl, who was sent to live in Sagkeeng First Nation in 2016 by her mother, was having difficulty adjusting to life in the small community. 

She was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorder, Wood said. 

He argued addiction and unresolved trauma from her past, including sexual assaults, made her vulnerable to the events that transpired the night of the attack.

Court previously heard that an argument broke out between McKay and two of her peers over alcohol at a house party. The girls proceeded to argue outside. Two video recordings played in court show McKay being punched and stomped on repeatedly by the two teens.

McKay had 67 injuries to her body when she died, court was told. 

Turned herself in

Wood said while the videos are "shocking and horrific," there is no evidence to suggest who started the fight. 

He argued his client did not lead the attack, record, or share the video. He also told the judge the teen did not lie about her involvement. 

"To say she was trying to cover it up would be inaccurate," Wood said.

The teen went to her school guidance counsellor after McKay's body was found and turned herself into police with her father, Wood said.

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She has no criminal history and has completed every program available to her in custody at the Manitoba Youth Centre, he added.

Wood also reminded the court that his client is not the same person and did not play the same role as her co-accused, and consequently does not deserve the same sentence.

Manitoba provincial court judge Lindy Choy will deliver her sentencing decision in August.