A man who put a flare gun in another man’s mouth to intimidate him, fatally injuring him when the flare gun discharged, was sentenced Friday to nine years in prison.
George Thurrott, 59, pleaded guilty to manslaughter Friday in the death of 59-year-old Royburne Osmond, who died in hospital on March 24, 2020, eight days after the incident in a supportive housing facility in Victoria.
Crown prosecutor Chandra Fisher said Osmond lived in the former Tally Ho motel at 3020 Douglas St., as did his common-law spouse, who lived in a separate unit in the building.
Thurrott believed Osmond was stealing from him and he wanted to intimidate him to make him stop, said defence lawyer Sarah Runyon.
In Osmond’s unit, Thurrott pinned Osmond against a wall using one arm and with his other hand he grabbed a flare gun, putting the muzzle into Osmond’s mouth, Fisher said.
The flare gun discharged and a flare shot into Osmond’s mouth, hitting the back of his throat and “leaving a trail of burning chemicals,” she said.
The flare exited Osmond’s mouth and ricocheted into the room and under the door, Fisher said. The room filled with smoke.
Video from the hallway outside the unit that was played in court showed what looked like an explosion inside the room, with a burst of light coming from the unit and smoke pouring into the hall.
Osmond and others in the room ran into the hall and Thurrott tried to pull Osmond back into the room, Fisher said. Osmond collapsed in the hall.
A staff member of the facility found Osmond bleeding from the mouth. In a “muffled and slurred voice” he said Thurrott had shot him, Fisher said.
Osmond was taken to hospital, where he later died. The wound in his throat had cut off blood supply to almost half of his brain, Fisher said.
Thurrott was arrested in Mississauga, Ont., on April 8, 2022 and initially charged with second-degree murder.
“The issue really in this case was what the intent was, and due to various negotiations and discussions with defence counsel regarding that intent, that’s why we have the plea to manslaughter,” Fisher said.
In a victim impact statement read by Crown prosecutor Nick Melling, Osmond’s spouse said she feels a “deep physical pain” after losing her partner of 35 years.
“I miss you, Roy. We had a life planned together. We were getting married. Our kids are all grown and our years of hard work were just about to pay off. We were supposed to spend our golden years being together. Now, I’m alone and forever broken hearted without you.”
Thurrott had an unstable upbringing in Nova Scotia that exposed him to substance misuse, sex work, violence and criminal behaviour, Runyon said. He was sexually abused by his mother’s partner between the ages of three and eight. He was introduced to illicit substances by his mother and first used a substance at eight years old, she said.
Thurrott has the support of his 27-year-old daughter, who provided a letter describing the improvements she has seen in her father since his incarceration.
“My father has faced significant challenges with substance abuse. Despite his struggles, I have witnessed a remarkable transformation in him over the past two years,” Runyon said, reading from the letter. “His current behaviour and actions reflect a sincere commitment to recovery and a healthier lifestyle. Since his time in custody, my father has shown dedication to self improvement.”
Thurrott’s remorse for Osmond’s death is palpable, Runyon said.
Thurrott spoke briefly to say he is sorry to Osmond’s family.
“I can’t change what happened but I’m definitely apologetic and I’m sorry for what happened that day,” he said.
Provincial court Judge Adrian Brooks accepted a joint sentencing submission from Crown and defence counsels recommending nine years. With credit for time served since his arrest, Thurrott will spend another five years and two months in prison.
Brooks said Thurrott’s upbringing gave him very little opportunity to succeed in life.
“When I hear those circumstances, I am to some extent somewhat surprised that his criminal record is not longer and more serious than it is,” Brooks said.
