Teenager convicted of killing Kenneth Lee gets suspended sentence

First teenager sentenced in Kenneth Lee’s swarm death in 2022 in downtown Toronto will no longer go to jail and will instead take part in a community program.

The teenager, who was 13 at the time of Lee’s death, has pleaded guilty to murder.

The judge ruled Monday that she should be given credit for 15 months of effective pre-trial detention and that she will serve another 15 months of probation under the Intensive Support and Supervision Program.

Judge David Stewart Rose said the sentence reflected the fact that the teenager had taken responsibility for her actions by pleading guilty, and the fact that while in custody she had endured institutional abuse, such as being forced to strip naked during searches.

Police say Lee, who was 59 and living in a city shelter, died after he was attacked and stabbed by a group of girls just after midnight on Dec. 18, 2022, in the area of ​​York Street, University Avenue and Front Street West.

Eight teenage girls — three 13, three 14 and two 16 — were arrested and initially charged with second-degree murder.

Four teenagers have pleaded guilty in the case — three to murder and one to assault causing bodily harm. Four more are scheduled to stand trial next year — three to second-degree murder and one to manslaughter.

The accused were not identified under the Youth Criminal Procedure Act (YCJA) because they are all minors.

A relative described Lee as a “good soul with a heart of gold.” Community members said the quiet Hong Kong man was trying to defend a friend from being attacked.

Lee’s family said he had been in a homeless shelter after going through some tough times but was trying to get back to normal life.

“…Ken was a kind soul with a heart of gold. He did not enter the system because of alcohol or drug abuse,” Lee’s family said in a statement. “He was a proud man who fell and wanted to learn to get back on his feet, knowing he always had his family behind him. Perhaps we can share more information with you in due time.”