Twenty-four-year-old Shavinder "Shevy" Brar was sentenced to four years and five months in prison on Tuesday morning for the 2008 stabbing murder of Harmin “Harvey” Hans, who was 18 at the time.
In Chilliwack Supreme Court, Judge William Grist decided that Brar will also have a lifetime firearms and ammunition ban and will have to provide a DNA sample.
Brar was initially charged with second-degree murder, along with 23-year-old Amrit Gill.
Recently, Brar pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Grist said that while the accused organized and participated in the attack on Hans, he did not produce the weapon that killed him.
According to evidence, Hans was punched, tasered and then stabbed in the neck.
In light of Brar's youth, his lack of a criminal record and his prospects of rehabilitation, Grist sentenced him to five years, minus time served.
The sentencing followed a full day of deliberation on Monday, which was attended by friends and family of Hans, Brar and Gill.
Tensions ran high in the court both days, with between seven and nine sheriffs in the room at all times.
On Monday, Crown counsel's Carolyn Lawlor outlined the events of May 24, 2008 that saw Hans attacked by "a mob waiting to swarm an individual," outside of his home on Ridgeview Drive.
She argued that Brar had planned the attack after learning that Hans had punched his younger brother earlier in the evening.
While Crown admitted it is still unknown who stabbed Hans, the group of approximately eight men "all went knowing the intent."
Crown suggested a seven year sentence for Brar.
Defence lawyer, Jeff Ray, was looking for a four to four-and-a-half year sentence.
He argued that while Brar had planned on confronting Hans, he didn't know about the weapons, he didn't stab Hans, and he still doesn't know who did.
"He wanted to confront him in a physical manner, but not with weapons... leading to death."
Ray also mentioned that since being released on bail, Brar has maintained employment, has a long-term girlfriend, and had to move from Abbotsford because of safety concerns.
On Tuesday morning, prior to the sentencing, Brar offered a meek apology.
"I'm very sorry... I made a mistake," he said.
Afterwards, Hans' family gathered in front of the courthouse to reflect on the judge's decision, which they called "lenient."
"No matter what the duration of the sentence, we will never get Harvey back," said one member on behalf of the family. "The people responsible for this are only getting a slap on the wrist."
Gill's case continues this week in Chilliwack.