Calling a serial rabbit killer's crimes vile, repugnant, shocking, and inconceivable, a Calgary prosecutor on Thursday called for a 10-year prison term for the offender. Nicholas Weseen was convicted by a jury last June of 12 charges of animal cruelty after torturing and killing more than a dozen rabbits, including three found in a storage room in his Forest Lawn basement suite and two others discovered in the trash behind his residence.
Defence counsel Obehi Ekatah argued that a conditional sentence, which would be served in the community, would be a suitable punishment. However, if Justice Michel Bourque deems jail necessary, Ekatah suggested a total sentence of 30 months, minus credit for time served on remand since conviction.
Crown lawyer Rose Greenwood emphasized that a conditional sentence would contradict the Alberta Court of Appeal's guidance on punishing such crimes. "A CSO is not available for these types of crimes … for brutal, violent attacks on animals," Greenwood told the Calgary Court of King's Bench judge.
In a police interview after his arrest on Jan. 22, 2023, Weseen admitted that hurting the animals was "kinda like playing God" and described feeling as if someone else took over his body. "It literally feels like there's a second person in control," he told Det. Mark Weir.
Victim impact statements were read in court from Calgary Humane Society investigator Brad Nichols, police Det. Keeley Grier, and Weseen's former girlfriend, Amy Miko, who reported his activities. Nichols noted that animal cruelty cases deeply disturb the community and serve as a precursor to interpersonal violence. Miko expressed ongoing fear, questioning whether she would be safe upon Weseen's release and whether he would seek vengeance for her cooperation with police.
In an apology letter read by Ekatah, Weseen expressed remorse, calling Miko the most important person in his life and hoping she could forgive him. Addressing the courtroom in person, he said, "I've lost everything I loved, cherished, worked too hard for. I know what I've done and I hate myself for it. I have nightmares about what I've done."
Justice Bourque is scheduled to deliver his sentencing decision on May 29. Weseen remains in custody pending the ruling.
