Robert Young is escorted out of the Court of King’s Bench in Battleford by RCMP on April 14, 2025, after being sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 10 years for the second-degree murder of Jason Chartier. (Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

By Kenneth Cheung

YOUNG SENTENCING

Man, 72 , sentenced to life in brutal killing of friend

Apr 14, 2025 | 3:12 PM

Alone in the prisoner’s box at the Court of King’s Bench in Battleford, a 72-year-old man was sentenced Monday to life in prison for the 2018 killing of his friend, closing a chapter in a case marked by violence, trauma and years of sorrow.

Robert Young was convicted of second-degree murder for the death of Jason Chartier, following what the judge described as a “brutal, vicious crime” in Buffalo Narrows.

Read more – Guilty: Robert Young convicted of second-degree murder of Jason Chartier

Although the court acknowledged Young may have initially acted in self-defence, Justice John Morrall said his response was “disproportionate to a very large extent.”

“This was a very brutal beating,” Morrall said. “Looking at that [the autopsy report] … struck me as not only excessive, but brutal, and without question, it was completely unjustified.”

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Despite the severity of the crime, both Crown and defence recommended the minimum parole ineligibility period of 10 years, a position the judge accepted.

“The Crown and defence both suggested to the court that 10 years ineligibility was appropriate in light of the life sentence in balancing both the nature of the crime, the circumstances of what happened and Mr. Young’s situation,” Crown prosecutor Anthony Gerein said outside court.

“In the Crown’s view, justice has been done.”

Robert Young. (Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW Staff)

During sentencing, the judge considered Young’s background, including a history of trauma related to residential school and substance use.

“No doubt it impacted you for the rest of your life and no doubt it has a lot to do with some of the things that are happening now,” Morrall said.

Young’s defence lawyer, Laura Mischuk, said her client indicated that although his early home life was stable, the abuse he experienced at residential school had lasting effects, contributing to mental health and addiction challenges.

“We knew that would be the decision,” Mischuk said of the sentence. “It’s the minimum sentence. So what that means is it is what it is, and he can’t go any lower, so we can’t ask for any less.”

Morrall emphasized that the sentence aimed to balance denunciation and deterrence with an understanding of Young’s age and circumstances.

“You’re 72 right now,” he said. “I realize that being in jail at this period of your life is a bit more of a hardship than for a 20-year-old.”

As part of his sentence, Young is also subject to a lifetime weapons ban and must submit a DNA sample for forensic analysis. Morrall told Young he hopes he will seek support while in custody.

“It’ll be very important for you to make sure that, while you’re incarcerated, you get the help that you think that you need,” he said.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com