Cape Breton man sentenced for killing man who tried to steal motocross bike
A Cape Breton man sentenced to at least 12 years in prison for stomping another man to death
Tyler Anthony MacNeil, a 34-year-old man from Cape Breton, has been convicted of second-degree murder in the killing of Leonard Groves on June 14, 2022. As a result of this conviction, MacNeil has been given an automatic life sentence with certain conditions.
In a recent decision by Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice Patrick Murray, it was ruled that MacNeil must serve a minimum of 12 years behind bars before he is eligible to apply for parole. Justice Murray emphasized the violent nature of the crime and the devastating impact it had on the victim’s loved ones in his sentencing decision.
During MacNeil’s trial, evidence revealed that he and others in an apartment in Sydney Mines, N.S., caught Groves attempting to steal a motocross bike. While two individuals managed to recover the bike and return to the apartment, MacNeil continued to chase Groves until he caught up with him. A physical altercation ensued, during which MacNeil repeatedly kicked, stomped, and jumped on Groves’s head, ultimately causing injuries that led to his death, as confirmed by the medical examiner’s testimony.
Justice Murray took into account the victim impact statements submitted by Groves’s girlfriend, mother, and other relatives, detailing the profound loss they have experienced as a result of his death. Additionally, MacNeil’s extensive criminal history, which includes 33 prior convictions, played a significant role in the decision to extend his minimum sentence beyond the 10 years recommended by the defense.
While the defense had suggested a parole eligibility period of 10 years, the Crown argued for a longer term of up to 15 years before MacNeil could apply for parole. Ultimately, Justice Murray settled on a 12-year minimum sentence, considering the severity of the crime and MacNeil’s criminal record.
