A group of teenagers on the Samson Indian Reserve telephoned for a liquor delivery with the intention of robbing the driver. James Reed, 30, took the call. As Mr. Reed retrieved the liquor from the trunk of his car a 13-year-old boy struck him with an aluminum baseball bat. The boy continued battering Mr. Reed and then smashed the cab windows and tore out the radio microphone. The boy was convicted of second-degree murder and given the maximum sentence allowed for by the Young Offenders Act -- seven years, four to be served in prison and three in community service.

A 37-year-old woman was charged with being an accessory after the fact and with obstructing justice. Mr. Reed was the stepfather of four children. His widow subsequently sued the killer and others involved in the incident.