The Calgary man who drove the getaway car he helped steal and then burned it after his friend executed a target in a murder-for-hire was handed an 8.5-year sentence Monday.
On Nov. 3, 2017, Olara Ronnie Obina was shot in the head behind his family’s home in the northwest community of Ranchlands.
Originally charged with first-degree murder, Jessey Pearson pleaded guilty mid-trial to manslaughter.
Defence lawyer Allan Fay asked the court to consider a four- to six-year sentence while prosecutors Todd Buziak and Renato Di Lorenzo argued for a 10- to 15-year prison term.
Olara Ronnie Obina, 29, was killed in 2017. One man has been convicted of first-degree murder. A second was handed an 8.5-year sentence for manslaughter. (Submitted)
On Monday, Pearson was sentenced for manslaughter by Court of King’s Bench Justice Shane Parker. With credit for the time he’s spent in pre-trial custody, Pearson has about four and a half years left.
‘Well-planned, dangerous act’
Parker said in his sentencing decision that Pearson participated in “a well-planned, dangerous act” and called Pearson “more than merely a getaway driver.”
“Mr. Pearson was seriously involved in planning, participation and coverup” of the murder,” noted Parker.
Pearson and Jayme Denovan were both charged with first-degree murder after each confessed to undercover officers three years after the fatal shooting.
Denovan told police he was offered $14,000 by two unknown men to kill Obina. He said he was not told why the men wanted Obina dead.
Pearson admitted he helped steal a Jeep, drove Denovan to Obina’s home, waited for Denovan to leave with a sawed-off shotgun, drove away after the killing, then helped set fire to the vehicle.
Pearson previously acquitted
In 2022, Denovan, who was the shooter, was convicted and is serving a life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years.
Pearson was acquitted, but the Crown successfully appealed and a new trial was ordered.
Last October, after testifying in his own defence, Pearson entered a surprise guilty plea to manslaughter.
Parker acknowledged Pearson had no criminal record when he was first charged and has taken steps to address addiction issues.