“Calgary teens face adult sentencing in murder case”

Four teenagers accused of first-degree murder in the Calgary teen’s death may be subject to adult sentencing if found guilty. During a court appearance, prosecutor Vicki Faulkner informed youth court Justice Richard O’Gorman of the Crown’s intention to pursue adult sentences for the three 15-year-olds and one 16-year-old involved in the case. The incident took place in the early hours of Aug. 1, 2025, when Carter Spivak-Villeneuve, 16, was discovered deceased in the Abbeydale neighborhood. Police indicated an “ongoing dispute” between the victim and the suspects. Within the last fortnight, law enforcement apprehended all four boys, charging them with first-degree murder. Per the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the identities of the accused are shielded by a publication ban. If convicted, a 15-year-old sentenced as an adult for first-degree murder would face a life sentence with parole eligibility within five to seven years, while a 16-year-old’s parole eligibility would range from five to 10 years. Defence attorneys Tonii Roulston, Andrea Urquhart, Jeanine Zahara, and Cameron Bally were present in youth court representing their detained clients. Faulkner expressed concerns about potential conflicts, pointing out that Roulston, Urquhart, and Zahara work for the same law firm. The proceedings are scheduled to reconvene on Dec. 8 to set a date for a conflict hearing.