Reform, warns judge

By Will Tremain –

A young Toronto man who spent roughly four of his 24 years in prison received a severe lecture from a judge on March 29 about reforming his life.

“Think about the math for a second. Four of 24. That’s a complete and utter waste,” said Justice Arthur Gans of the Superior Court of Justice to the defendant, Gary Popwell, who nodded in acknowledgement.

Gans found Popwell guilty on two charges—one count of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, and one count of breach of probation—but sentenced him to time already served in custody.

Popwell spent the last 16 months in prison facing 15 charges laid in connection with a November 2005 police raid on a Rexdale apartment.

Gans acquitted Popwell on 13 of the charges, and said that Popwell “came within a whisker” of receiving more jail time.

According to the Toronto Star, the dawn raid on 7 Greentree Court was conducted after the shooting of Amon Beckles, an 18-year-old who was gunned down on the front steps of a church while attending the funeral for his slain best friend Jamal Hemmings, 17. The Toronto Star said that police thought the raid might turn up the weapons used in the murders of Beckles and Hemmings and prevent more killings. Forensic tests on the guns found in the Rexdale apartment showed they were not those used in the Beckles and Hemmings shootings, according to the Toronto Star.

Gans sentenced Popwell to one day, plus the 486 days he’s already served in custody, for the charge of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and six months concurrent for the charge of breach of probation, so Popwell will be free immediately.

“That’s a whole whack of time for those little baggies of coke,” said Gans during the sentencing.

“You’ve spent close to four years in detention centres, from the time you were, like, 18. You’ve missed a chunk of your life, Mr. Popwell, by being in the joint,” Gans said.

Popwell’s mother sat in the courtroom and wiped tears from her eyes.

“I hope that your family can turn you around. You’ve not seen this child—you’ve been in jail,” Gans added, referring to Popwell’s eight-month-old infant.

 “I hope the judicial system doesn’t have anything further to do with you,” said Gans sternly to Popwell.