GROW-OP MURDERER NETS LIFE SENTENCE AS CAREER CRIMINAL

The brutal killing of Timothy Veinot at the hands of Edward Diakew in
his marijuana grow house in April 2005 has resulted in a term of life
imprisonment for Diakew.

The 47-year-old, who had been charged with first degree murder,
pleaded guilty to the second degree murder of Veinot on Monday, and
will be ineligible for parole for 15 years, Justice Alison Beames
ruled.

"The killing of Mr. Veinot was brutal and horrifying," said Beames,
highlighting evidence which showed Veinot was shot three times -
including once between the eyes - and stabbed 16 times.

As well, he suffered an estimated 28 to 50 blows with a variety of
instruments, including a two by four.

During the sentencing hearing, Beames heard how Diakew drove his
camperized van to 2508 Sexsmith Rd. on April 19, 2005.

He had an acquaintance who lived in a separate house on the property
walk over to the home shared by Veinot, 43, and roommate Ron Fazakas.

Veinot wasn't home, but Diakew told Fazakas, who had been clipping
buds on the marijuana in the basement, that he would be taking over
the grow operation.

At 11 a.m. that morning, Veinot returned home and walked "four or
five steps" into his house when his girlfriend, who was with him,
heard a shot and saw Veinot grabbing his forehead, Crown counsel Dave
Ruse said.

The girlfriend, Danielle Vedan, fled from the house, hearing thumping
and more gunshots, and later peered into a window to see Diakew
punching Veinot.

Diakew, Ruse said, told the girlfriend to go, and he continued
punching Veinot.

Eventually Diakew, blood covering his face, hands and clothes, came
out of the house and convinced Vedan to leave by telling her Veinot
was OK.

He phoned Vedan at 2 p.m. and arranged to call her at 8
p.m.

That call never came, and Vedan eventually returned to the Sexsmith
Road home, kicked the door in, and found the lifeless body of Veinot
in the living room, a quilt covering his face, and a two by four
under his right foot.

Several days later, on April 22, police found Diakew's burned out van
near Penticton.

He was arrested in Burlington, Washington in August 2005, and was
returned to Canada to face the murder charge.

"I truly regret putting myself into that situation and the outcome of
that situation," Diakew said during his sentencing hearing. "There's
nothing I can say that will bring him back."

During defence submissions, lawyer Wade Jensen highlighted that the
murder was not planned or deliberate, and noted the victim was
described as "unpredictable" with a reputation for extreme violence.
As well, his client, who was in and out of group homes as a youth,
expressed remorse for his actions.

That remorse and Diakew's guilty plea were looked upon favourably by
Beames, but she noted his extensive criminal record and the brutality
of the crime were aggravating factors.

In addition to giving Diakew a life sentence, Beames also ordered a
lifetime weapons prohibition and that Diakew must submit a sample of
his DNA.