Calgary man who killed girlfriend’s daughter sentenced to life in prison, will be eligible for parole in 2033
Posted Feb 16, 2024 9:45 am.
Last Updated Feb 16, 2024 2:51 pm.
A Calgary man convicted of second-degree murder in the beating death of his girlfriend’s daughter in 2017 was sentenced to life in prison Friday, and will be eligible for parole in about nine years.
Ivy Wick was injured on Sept. 27, 2017, and died in hospital of head and brain injuries eight days later.
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An autopsy showed the girl had been subjected to blunt force trauma, which prompted the interest of homicide investigators.
Justin Bennett was charged a year later after he confessed to undercover police officers that he got angry when interrupted by the girl, hit her in the head, threw her against a wall, and then tripped her.
He was convicted of second-degree murder in March 2021.
Bennett was initially supposed to be sentenced in November 2022, but that was stalled several times after he demanded a second psychiatric exam and then fired two lawyers.
READ MORE: Court agrees to another delay in case of Calgary man who killed girlfriend’s daughter
The official sentence for the convicted killer was life in prison without the possibility of parole for 14 years. With credit for time served, Bennett has to stay in prison for around nine more years before he can apply for parole; that will be in 2033.
The 30-year-old was emotionless as the sentence was handed down, and he had nothing to say when the judge called on him.
Wick’s mother, Helen Wordsworth, delivered a victim impact statement, describing the extreme sorrow and anger she’s felt since losing her daughter in such a heinous crime.
She said she cries herself to sleep every night, blaming herself for not being able to protect her child.
While in jail, Bennett said he had been assaulted, and requested protective custody.
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