Mike on Crime

By Gabrielle Giroday and Mike McIntyre
Winnipeg Free Press

He is accused of beating a stranger to death after a chance encounter on the street. Now, an 18-year-old Winnipeg gang associate is charged with nearly killing another man while free on bail for the initial attack.

Family members of the slaying victim, Paul Cherewick, were stunned to learn of the connection between both incidents.

“He should have never been out in the first place,” the victim’s father, Jake Cherewick, told the Free Press on Monday.

His 30-year-old son died on May 24, 2008 after he was beaten nine days earlier with a baseball bat.

Police said Cherewick was walking near Austin Street and Euclid Avenue when he got into an argument with a 16-year-old boy he didn’t know.

The youth left the scene but returned moments later armed with a weapon. Police arrested the teen days later and charged him with second-degree murder.

He has been linked to the Manitoba Warriors street gang.

Jake Cherewick, 72, and his wife attended the bail hearing for their son’s accused killer in 2008.

He said a judge gave a 45-minute decision at the bail hearing and appeared in “agony” with the case because he seemed loath to make the decision to grant bail.

“The poor man was almost writhing in his chair,” he said.

The youth was released on a $10,000 surety and several conditions, including a nightly curfew. The Crown was opposed to his release.

Cherewick is angry the justice system has moved so slowly, allowing the youth to remain free in the community for so long.

The family has been horrified to see photos the teen has posted online after he was freed from the Manitoba Youth Centre.

They say the images show the youth partying and referring to himself as involved in gang life.

“The trial should have been done last year,” said Cherewick.

The same accused, now 18, was arrested on New Year’s Day after allegedly stabbing a 25-year-old man following a house party on Charles Walk. The victim was initially rushed to hospital in critical condition but has since been upgraded to stable. Police have charged the teen with aggravated assault and breaching his youth bail conditions. He remains in custody.

Jake Cherewick said the family doesn’t want media attention but are deeply troubled with how the case has been handled.

“We’re afraid for ourselves, we’re afraid for our grandchildren,” said Diane Cherewick, Paul’s mother.

They want changes to the law so young offenders who have committed violent crimes are not able to get bail.