Pubdate: Sun, 29 May 2011 Source: Province, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2011 Postmedia Network Inc. Contact: http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html Website: http://www.theprovince.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476 Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/people/Kim+Walker STIFF JAIL TERM SOUGHT FOR FATHER WHO KILLED DAUGHTER'S DRUG DEALER Prosecutors are calling for a lengthy prison term for a Saskatchewan father who shot to death his teenage daughter's drug-dealing boyfriend, while Kim Walker's lawyer says he should not spend another day behind bars. Court of Queen's Bench Justice Ellen Gunn Gunn heard sentencing submissions Friday in the case -a day after Walker was convicted of manslaughter. Gunn is expected to sentence him July 13. Walker was on trial for seconddegree murder in the March 17, 2003, shooting death of 24-yearold James Hayward. Armed with a semi-automatic pistol, Walker went to Hayward's home here to retrieve his 16-year-old daughter Jadah, then a morphine addict living with Hayward. Walker believed Hayward was supplying her with drugs. He fired 10 shots, hitting Hayward five times. Walker told the jury he doesn't remember the shooting but believes he acted in self-defence, firing on an unarmed Hayward when he raised his arm. The jury's verdict sparked debates on radio talk shows and online Friday, with many observers saying Walker was justified in shooting the man who supplied drugs to his daughter. Prosecutor Robin Ritter said he finds that talk troubling, noting everyone is entitled to the protection of the law. "For people to say that Mr. Hayward, because he might have been a bad person, is not entitled to the full protection of the law, scares me," Ritter said outside court. He called for an 11-year prison term, less the time Walker has already served, bringing it to about 7 1/2 years. Because a gun was involved, the law mandates at least a four-year prison term. Speaking to reporters, Jadah called the sentence sought by the prosecution "a joke." Defence lawyer Balfour Der, who had hoped the jury would acquit Walker, contended he has already served sufficient time. Previously convicted of seconddegree murder before he won an appeal and a new trial, Walker has served about 3 1/2 years. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom