Cape Breton man sentenced for killing man who tried to steal motocross bike

A Cape Breton man who stomped another man to death won't be eligible for parole until he's spent at least a dozen years in prison.

Tyler Anthony MacNeil, 34, was convicted of second-degree murder in the killing of Leonard Groves on June 14, 2022.

The conviction carries an automatic life sentence. In a decision delivered last month and published Wednesday, Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice Patrick Murray ruled MacNeil must serve at least 12 years of his sentence behind bars before he can apply for parole.

"This was a violent offence, with devastating consequences," Murray wrote in his sentencing decision.

According to evidence at MacNeil's trial, he was visiting an apartment on Beech Street in Sydney Mines, N.S., when he and others in the apartment noticed Groves trying to steal the motocross bike he'd left outside.

MacNeil and two other people gave chase and recovered the bike. The other two returned to the apartment, but MacNeil continued chasing Groves until he caught him. The pair started fighting and MacNeil kicked, stomped and jumped on Groves's head, inflicting the injuries that caused his death, according to the medical examiner's testimony.

In his decision, Murray cited the victim impact statements filed by Groves's girlfriend, mother and others who described the loss they've experienced with his death.

The judge said the extreme violence, coupled with MacNeil's history of 33 prior convictions, warranted more than the minimum 10 years in prison the defence had recommended before he'd be eligible for parole.

The Crown had recommended he serve up to 15 years before being able to apply for parole.