Halifax man sentenced to death in 2018 faced “hateful and racist slurs” before shooting

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A 24-year-old man from Halifax has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for the shooting death of another man in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia. him with a knife.

Jamie Lee Bishop, 21, was shot dead while walking along a road on the evening of June 18, 2018. He later died in hospital.

Rae’heem Downey was originally charged with second degree murder in Bishop’s death. But earlier this year, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Downey was sentenced Thursday by the Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Halifax.

According to an agreed statement of facts read in the court file, Downey and Bishop had never met until the night of their fateful meeting. A 15-year-old girl called Downey that evening, asking him to come get her. She had quarreled with Bishop and wanted a car. His identity is protected by a publication ban.

When Downey arrived at Eastern Passage, Bishop and the girl were walking along the road. Bishop carried a kitchen knife. Downey called the girl.

According to the statement, Bishop advanced on Downey’s car with the knife, repeatedly shouting the word N. Downey, which is black, pulled out a .22 caliber handgun and fired three or four shots. One of them hit Bishop in the chest. He later died in hospital.

Jamie Lee Bishop, 21, was killed in an Eastern Passage shooting on June 18, 2018. (Submitted)

Bishop was three to eight yards from Downey when he was hit. According to calls to 911 and footage from nearby security cameras, the entire encounter lasted just over a minute and a half.

Downey took off in his car but was arrested shortly thereafter and has been in custody ever since.

“Mr. Downey’s actions amounted to culpable homicide,” Crown Attorney James Van Wart said outside court after the conviction.

“Provocation allows for a partial defense of murder, and that’s why the plea was for manslaughter. It’s not just that Mr. Downey acted in a fire of passion all of a sudden before he had time. to calm down, [it] must also be considered whether or not the provocation was caused by conduct that would constitute a criminal offense, this is one of the other conditions of the Criminal Code. “

The other crown attorney, Carla Ball, called Bishop’s language “violent and offensive”.

During Downey’s conviction on Thursday, Judge Denise Boudreau called the comments “hateful and disturbing racial epithets.”

“No parent is prepared for the loss of a child”

Downey’s attorney, Trevor McGuigan, said his client’s actions were “a swift reaction to unexpected, hateful and racist insults.” McGuigan said Downey had been shot in the past and that was the reason for his decision to carry a gun.

Bishop’s father, mother and grandmother participated in the sentencing hearing via video link from the courthouse in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.

“I was shocked and heartbroken,” Kirk Bishop told court of his reaction to news of his son’s death. “A piece of my heart is missing.

Bishop’s mother, Janet Bishop, said her world changed when her son died. “No parent is prepared for the loss of a child,” she said.

Violet Bishop told the court that after learning of her grandson’s death, she lost the urge to do anything. Two brothers had the victim impact statements read on file by the Crown.

‘I can’t imagine the pain I caused you’

Boudreau, who accepted a joint sentencing recommendation from the crown and defense attorneys, addressed the Bishop family in their sentencing decision.

“I can’t imagine what the sudden violent death of a loved one can do to a person,” she said.

Downey also apologized.

“I am very sorry for the family for what happened,” he said. “I can’t imagine the pain I caused you.”

With the credit for time already served, Downey faces another six years and nine months in jail.

He is also prohibited from owning weapons for the rest of his life.

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