The first teenager to be sentenced in connection with the death of Kenneth Lee, a homeless man in Toronto, has been given a probationary sentence rather than additional time in custody. The girl, who was 13 at the time of the December 2022 attack, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and will serve 15 months of probation under an Intensive Support and Supervision Program, credited with 15 months of pre-trial custody.
Justice David Stewart Rose emphasized that the sentence reflects the teen’s acceptance of responsibility for her actions, noting that community interventions appear to be effective and that she experienced maltreatment while in custody. The judge highlighted that the teen underwent invasive searches seven times and was placed in a remote detention facility away from her family.
Describing the incident as “vicious and cowardly,” Justice Rose detailed how Lee, aged 59 and living in the city’s shelter system, was swarmed and stabbed by a group of girls. Seven other teens, aged 13 to 16 at the time, have been arrested and charged in the case, with three having already pleaded guilty to manslaughter or assault causing bodily harm. The remaining four are scheduled to stand trial next year.
The sentenced teen, who has no prior criminal record, faces a 10-year weapons prohibition, is required to undergo mental health treatment as part of her probation, and is prohibited from communicating with her co-accused during this period. Her lawyer, Leo Adler, expressed that the teen regrets her actions and that her treatment in custody was contrary to established guidelines.
Family members of Kenneth Lee have expressed their devastation following his death. Lee’s brother-in-law, Eric Shum, described the family as “distraught” and felt helpless in the aftermath of the loss. In her sentencing, the teenager reportedly expressed genuine remorse in a letter to Lee’s family and demonstrated a commitment to self-improvement.
In a separate hearing later that day, another teen, also 13 at the time of the incident, sought a reduced sentence based on her own experiences in custody, where she endured similar invasive searches. This teen expressed her condolences to Lee’s family, acknowledging the pain caused by her actions, while indicating that her youth and intoxication contributed to her involvement. A decision on her sentence is expected in early October.
