‘I’m so sorry for what I’ve done:’ sentencing arguments begin in stabbing death of Nanaimo man

Parsons was pronounced dead in hospital shortly after being stabbed during a confrontation with a small group of people unknown to him as the victim, his girlfriend and another friend were using Maffeo Sutton Park’s playground late on the evening of Sept. 5, 2022 during the tail-end of Labour Day long weekend.

Harrison of Nanaimo and Bell of Parksville, now both 21-years-old, were convicted by an 11-member jury late Tuesday, Aug. 6 for the stabbing death of Parsons.

The jury accepted the Crown’s theory of video evidence suggesting three people entered and left the park during the timeframe of the attack and that it was beyond reasonable doubt that Bell and Harrison were complicit in Parsons’ death.

Fred Parsons, described as a positive high-functioning man on the autism spectrum was inexplicably stabbed to death on Nanaimo’s waterfront (Submitted photo)

Evidence from Parsons’ girlfriend stated both males confronted Fred, however she was unclear regarding the specific force used during the commotion of bear spray being unleashed.

Harrison has been in custody since being charged several days after the incident, while Bell has been freed on bail with release conditions.

The Tuesday sentencing hearing revealed that Bell breached his probation conditions on multiple occasions, including disobeying curfew conditions.

Bell had no prior record, while Harrison racked up an extensive criminal history as a youth offender dating back to 2019.

Barber said Bell attempted to downplay his role in the offence during a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation, which Bell’s defence attorney Gloria Ng denied, saying her client’s inconsistencies in recalling the events of that night due to his severe ADHD, which he has struggled with his entire life.

Ng suggested during her arguments a custodial sentence of four to five years would be appropriate for Bell, with a small amount of time served credit based on his breach of probation conditions.

Ng told the court Harrison spent 48 days in custody in total, with 30 allocated for his breach sentence when Bell was found outside in Dec. 2022 skateboarding past his curfew.

Bell would spend that Christmas in custody and was put on strict 24/7 house arrest following his release in January, only allowed to leave home permission to work with his stepfather at his property maintenance business.

Following Ng’s submission, Bell addressed the court with a pre-written statement, presented in full below.

“To the court and Mr. Parsons’ family. I, Aiden Bell, am here in court today because of my actions that caused a man to lose his life. This man was a son and a friend to those who loved him, and he deserved to come home like anyone else. He deserved to live his life just like everyone else. I stand here now to apologize to those Fred Parsons loved, and to those who loved him. I am so sorry that I took part in actions that night that I wish I could take back, so that Fred could be here today. There can be no excuse for the loss of life, nor can there be any healing. I can only imagine the feelings those close to Mr. Parsons have, however, I do understand the loss of loved ones. Nobody deserves to lose someone close to them in this way. I cannot fathom losing family too early to the hands of another person. Sometimes I think about what we would have been doing right now, (voice breaking with emotion) what he could have been doing right now. Could have started a family, all the things I get to do even after this is all over, he can’t. He will never get to travel the world, talk to his family, do the things he wanted to do or become what he dreamed to become. His life was cut short and I’m one of the reasons why. No matter how terrified I am, it couldn’t ever have compared to what Mr. Parsons’ must have felt in his final moments. All I can do is accept responsibility for my actions, and pray that Fred Parsons’ soul rests in peace. I’m so sorry for what I’ve done.”

Harrison has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, but Barber argued the condition is not seen as a significant factor in relation to his decision-making, stating Harrison has an “average” cognitive function in relation to his FAS.

Victim Impact
The hearing took place in a full courtroom, including a packed gallery which sent reporters into vacant jury seats.

Powerful victim impact statements were made to conclude the morning session, including from Parsons’ girlfriend, mother, grandfather, and grandmother.

Parsons’ grandmother spoke first, offering an emotionally powerful summary of the kind of good person her grandson was, and the “enormous heartbreak” she endures daily at his loss.

“My well-being is shattered. I’m not the same person. My heart doesn’t know how to heal without him in my life. Before his death, I was the old age I was, and I didn’t feel old. Fred’s death, and the following two years, have added decades to how old I feel I am.”

Parsons’ mom spoke at length, pausing at times to compose herself and wipe away tears, detailing everything the attack “has taken from her family”, including his dog Nyx, who was with Parsons at the time of his death.

His mother said after the incident, Nyx became timid and fearful, sitting in the family’s driveway every day waiting for his owner who would never return.

Near the end of her statement, Parsons’ mother turned and spoke directly to both Bell and Harrison, telling them to “step up, be a man” and tell the truth about what happened that night.

“May you be haunted day and night, by the cries for help that you caused, that you mocked, and then ignored.”

Harrison was seated in the enclosed prisoners’ box, while Bell was seated in a chair beside the co-offender, just a few feet away from several family and friends of the victim.

Sentencing submissions from legal counsel representing both offenders occurred Tuesday afternoon.

Ultimately it’s up to veteran high court justice Robin Baird to determine the punishments for both offenders.

While the maximum penalty for manslaughter under the Criminal Code of Canada is life in prison, sentences for the offence are typically less than 10 years in prison.

Sentencing arguments for two men convicted of manslaughter in the stabbing death of a Nanaimo man took place on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at B.C. Supreme Court in Nanaimo (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Background
At the time of Parsons’ death, Nanaimo RCMP stated a small group of people were approached by another group of young people when a confrontation broke out late in the evening at Maffeo Sutton Park.

Bear spray was used towards the group, likely contributing to some inconsistencies in witness statements.

Harrison originally faced a second-degree murder charge, while Bell was charged with a pair of weapons offences.

Charges against the pair were adjusted in November 2022 as a result of the continuing investigation with new information presented.

The first day of the manslaughter trial was on July 22 in B.C. Supreme Court in Nanaimo, where jurors were shown video surveillance footage of the night in question.

Day two of the trial featured an RCMP forensic analyst who tested multiple items for evidence of blood, including the suspect’s clothing, and items found at the crime scene.

On Tuesday, July 30 court heard from the girlfriend of Parsons who described in detail the night of the attack, saying how her group of friends just wanted to play on the playground when they were confronted by three people.

Neither Bell nor Harrison testified in their own defence during the trial.

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by NanaimoNewsNOW staff

‘I’m so sorry for what I’ve done:’ sentencing arguments begin in stabbing death of Nanaimo man

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