A man is awaiting a judge’s decision on whether he will receive a jail sentence for his involvement in a robbery scheme that resulted in the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old in Moncton four years ago. Jerek John England admitted guilt earlier this year to charges of conspiring to commit robbery and being in a vehicle with a restricted firearm.
The sentencing process commenced on Tuesday in Moncton’s Court of King’s Bench for the 27-year-old defendant, with the prosecution and defense presenting contrasting recommendations for the sentence. The prosecution is advocating for imprisonment, while England’s defense team is pushing for house arrest.
England is the final individual out of a group of six to face sentencing for their roles in the shooting death of Joedin Leger. The court learned that England was part of a group of five who planned to rob Leger’s girlfriend, Chantal Boudreau, of drugs, money, and vape products. The group retrieved a .38-calibre revolver from England’s father’s residence before recruiting a sixth member, Riley Phillips, to carry out the robbery.
During the robbery attempt near Leger and Boudreau’s residence on Logan Lane in Moncton, England expressed reservations and remained in the getaway vehicle driven by his younger brother. Phillips, the only one who entered the home, engaged in a shooting exchange with Leger before the group fled. Boudreau, who was in bed during the incident, woke up to find Leger wounded.
Phillips claimed self-defense, but he was convicted of second-degree murder in 2024 and received a life sentence without parole for 12 years. The other individuals involved in the incident had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges and received their sentences.
England, who had been released on bail pending trial for manslaughter, pleaded guilty to lesser charges shortly before the trial earlier this year. During the recent sentencing hearing, the Crown prosecutor requested a three-year custodial sentence, which could potentially be reduced with credit for time served. The defense suggested an 18-month conditional sentence for England.
The judge received victim impact statements from Leger’s family and Boudreau, highlighting the lasting trauma and impact of the incident. The decision on England’s sentence was deferred to September 28.