The family of a 17-year-old boy killed after being deliberately run down twice is outraged by the killer's five-year prison sentence.
"This is not justice," Kevin Persaud's father Naresh told reporters outside court on Wednesday afternoon.
"Five years for my son's life is a slap on the arm for this. My son's life is not worth five years, and the system in this country has to change. It shows the youth out there could go out and kill somebody and walk."
Persaud, a promising football player, died after being run down by Andrew Suedat behind Cardinal Leger Catholic School in Scarborough on March 4, 2006.
Suedat was 19 years old when he intentionally drove a van at Persaud. He then turned the vehicle around and ran over him again. The dispute was over a small amount of marijuana, court heard.
Suedat was charged with second-degree murder, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter earlier this month in the middle of his trial when two Crown witnesses couldn't remember key details of the incident.
Members of the Persaud family shouted at Suedat during an emotional sentencing hearing on Wednesday, saying he was smiling during the proceeding and mocking their grief and the justice system.
Prosecutor Paul Vesa felt he had to accept the plea deal on a lesser charge because of the difficulties with his witnesses.
"I very much relate to the way (the Persaud family) feels and I sympathize," he told reporters after the sentencing.
"I probably feel very much the same way myself, but on the other hand, I have to present the case as best I can."
Det. John Biggerstaff said police "have to rely on the courts to do what they think is right."
The Crown was asking for a prison term of 10 years, while the defence urged the judge for 3 1/2 years.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Chris Eby
