A sentencing hearing for a woman from West Kelowna, British Columbia, who fatally struck her boyfriend with a vehicle in 2022, was abruptly halted on Friday following news that the defendant had been hospitalized due to a drug overdose and suicide attempt during the lunch break. The adjournment occurred on the second day of the trial for 30-year-old Ka-Mikosit Favelle, who had previously admitted to manslaughter in the killing of Adam Briand-Lawrence.
During the morning session, Justice Catherine Murray mentioned the possibility of imposing a sentence exceeding the seven-year term suggested by the Crown. Favelle’s defense attorney, Paul McMurray, recommended a conditional sentence order involving house arrest, citing her lack of a criminal record.
The court was asked to prepare submissions for review after the lunch break. However, when proceedings resumed in the afternoon, McMurray informed the judge that Favelle had been rushed to the hospital following a suspected drug overdose and suicide attempt, as reported by her parents. Favelle had been out on bail with conditions prohibiting her from possessing illegal substances.
Consequently, Justice Murray issued an arrest warrant under section 512.3 of the Criminal Code for breaching court terms. Murray declared that the hearing would be adjourned until Favelle could appear for a bail hearing.
The court previously learned that Favelle and Briand-Lawrence had a tumultuous relationship marked by heavy substance abuse. The fatal incident occurred on August 19, 2022, when, after an argument, Favelle accelerated her vehicle to 95 km/h and struck Briand-Lawrence on a winding residential street in West Kelowna. The Crown disclosed that Favelle attempted to swerve away but ultimately collided with Briand-Lawrence, resulting in his death.
Initially facing a second-degree murder charge, Favelle later pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2023. During the hearing, Crown prosecutor Jordan Schroeder highlighted Favelle’s ongoing substance abuse and sporadic discontinuation of prescribed anti-psychotic medication, characterizing her actions as nearly reaching the degree of murder in the manslaughter context. The Crown advocated for a prison term of six to seven years. Family members of the victim, including Stephanie Lawrence, attended the sentencing. Lawrence described her brother as a caring individual who prioritized his family and strangers alike.
Amidst hopes for closure following the judge’s serious consideration of an extended sentence, frustration mounted within the victim’s family upon learning of the sentencing hearing’s delay due to Favelle’s overdose and subsequent hospitalization.
