U.S. Hitchhiker Receives One-Day Sentence in B.C. for 2001 Manslaughter After Decades-Long Legal Saga
An American hitchhiker who brutally killed a driver offering him a ride from Alaska to Vancouver nearly 25 years ago has been sentenced to just one day in jail for manslaughter in a British Columbia court. However, this minimal sentence does not reflect a lenient punishment, as James Morgan has already spent decades behind bars in the United States for a separate murder committed in the same year.
Violent Attack at Rest Stop
According to a recent B.C. Supreme Court judgment, James Morgan, now 65, repeatedly struck James Hamrick of Alaska in the head with two hammers and then sprayed him with bear spray at the Woodpecker rest area, located approximately one hour south of Prince George. The violent assault occurred after Hamrick had picked up Morgan for a trip to Vancouver.
Legal Proceedings and Joint Submission
In a joint submission, both prosecution and defence lawyers agreed on the one-day jail sentence, which Justice Robert Tindale described as based on the unique circumstances of the case. Morgan was brought to Prince George from a Colorado prison for the January 9 hearing, where Justice Tindale formally imposed the sentence, stating, I sentence you to one day in jail, which is served by your presence in court here today.
Aftermath and Flight
After leaving Hamrick fatally wounded at the rest stop, Morgan fled south in Hamrick's camper truck. He abandoned the camper attachment and Hamrick's dog in Quesnel before continuing to Vancouver. Upon reaching the city, he ditched the truck and traveled to Washington state using an alias. Days later, he was charged with drunk driving, eventually making his way to California, where he turned himself in for a parole violation as a felon.
Confession and Additional Crimes
In January 2002, B.C. homicide detectives traveled to the U.S. after being contacted by American police, questioning Morgan about Hamrick's death. Morgan confessed to the killing and later revealed he had murdered another man in Colorado before traveling to Alaska. He is currently serving a 48-year murder sentence in a Colorado prison for that crime.
Extradition and Parole Implications
Rather than extraditing Morgan to Canada in 2006, B.C. officials placed a detainer order for his extradition upon release from U.S. custody. Morgan has been seeking resolution of the B.C. case since 2017, as it affects his parole application in the United States. Born in Anahim Lake east of Bella Coola but having lived in the U.S. since age 20, Morgan is eligible for parole in Colorado but has yet to apply.
Victim Impact and Remorse
During the hearing, Hamrick's daughter, Candyce Tracy, delivered a victim-impact statement, describing how her father's death has had a profound and deleterious effect on her and her son. She emphasized that the passage of 25 years has not lessened the pain, stating, The impact of this crime is permanent. Our family lives with profound grief and trauma every day. Justice Tindale noted that Morgan expressed sincere remorse for the killing.
This case highlights the complexities of cross-border criminal justice and the long-lasting trauma inflicted on victims' families, even decades after the crime.
