Graham James Sentence Increased To 5 Years

One of the creepiest stories in hockey got a little more justice added to it today in Winnipeg...

Notorious junior hockey coach Graham James, convicted of sexual abuse against minors whom he coached- including Theoren Fleury- had his sentence increased from two years to five.

The full Court of Appeals decision can be read hyah, thanks to the Winnipeg Free Press...

The original sentence was widely argued as being too light as James admitted last year that he molested two players between 1983 and 1994. James won't be eligible for parole until this fall.

James attorneys, in their argument to the Court of Appeals, maintained that James was a "changed man" and didn't deserve an uncharacteristic increase in his sentence.

Fleury, in an interview with Charles Adler, said it was a great day for all survivors. That interview can be heard hyah...

Fleury also thinks that James is less than changed citing his fleeing the country of Canada for Mexico- where CBC's Bob McKeown found him...

Graham James Sentenced To 2 Years

((HT: Rogers Sportsnet/Winnipeg Free Press))

Disgraced former junior hockey coach Graham James has been sentenced to two years in prison for sexually abusing two of his former players- Theo Fleury and Todd Holt.

From the Free Press:

Provincial Court judge Catherine Carlson said no sentence she imposed could give back to Holt and Fleury what was taken by James.

She added the courage shown by Fleury and Holt should be given "tremendous respect."

"What happened to Mr. Fleury and Mr. Holt is every child's worst nightmare," Carlson said.

If you are outraged by this verdict and I see you are. Never let this conversation die," Fleury tweeted to his more than 46,000 followers in response to the sentence. "Keep elevating till change is made."

The Crown was seeking a six-year prison sentence. The defence had asked for a conditional sentence with no jail time. Defence lawyer Evan Roitenberg said James has become the most "hated man in hockey" and has been punished enough.

The maximum sentence is 10 years for each offence.

Here's reaction from Sheldon Kennedy and Greg Gilhooly on the sentencing...


More when we know more...

Graham James Sentenced In Canada March 20

((HT: GlobalNational))

Victim statements were heard in open court for the sentencing hearing for disgraced junior hockey coach Graham James.

James pleaded guilty in December to sexually abusing two junior players between 1983 and 1994.

Crown attorney Colleen McDuff gave details of the crimes James committed against Theo Fleury and another former junior player, Todd Holt. Both men agreed to have their names publicized.

Holt read an emotional victim impact statement in court, describing how James ruined his life.

"Graham James took away every part of me that my family had brought me up to be. I will always be left picking up the pieces."

"What that man did to me and many others is the cruellest form of abuse. I want peace, and justice."

James attorney is asking for the equivalent of house arrest while crown attorneys are looking for another six years or so behind bars.

Here's extended interviews with Sheldon Kennedy, one of the first abused by James...


An alleged third victim, Greg Gilhooly, was also in court. But the case against Gilhooly was dismissed in order to get a secured conviction of James.

James had been living in Mexico but agreed to turn himself in to Canadian authorities in late 2010 after Fleury, Holt and Gilhooly went to police. James also had been given a controversial pardon in 2007, but public outcry forced the government to re-examine the pardons guidelines...

Here's CBC's Bob McKeown with one of the best gotchas ever...
Finding James in Mexico...