UPDATE: Teichrieb sentenced to seven years in prison for aggravated assault

Teichrieb has spent just over two years in pre-trial custody, and with credit for time-served he’s facing another three-and-a-half years of new jail time.

He was released on bail for the first time in August with strict conditions, including not being allowed to enter the City of Kamloops, but served time in prison from the time he was arrested in the early morning hours of June 19, 2016 when he chased down then 18-year-old Jessie Simpson with a baseball bat, hitting him repeatedly.

For the first time, details of the incident can be made public.

Simpson was trying to catch up with friends following a graduation party when Teichrieb caught him in his yard, apprehended him and then proceeded to punch him multiple times. Simpson threw a punch back before fleeing. That’s when Teichrieb chased him down Clifford Avenue and started to hit the then 18-year-old with an aluminum bat.

Court heard on Tuesday that Teichrieb was on high alert after multiple crimes in his Brocklehurst neighbourhood in the months leading up to the incident, including attempted theft on his property. A week prior, neighbours called police after a man was seen in their yard. According to the agreed statement of facts, Teichrieb, then 39 years old, came out and told police he would take matters into his own hands next time it happened, also noting he had a baseball bat.

At around 4 a.m. on June 19, 2016, neighbours saw Simpson being dragged across the street, crying and covered with blood. They said Teichrieb proceeded to stand over Simpson and continue beating him. When police arrived, Simpson’s head and face were swollen and his breathing was laboured. Police said he was close to death.

Simpson was rushed to Royal Inland Hospital and had emergency brain surgery. Medical staff noted extensive fractures to his face and blood coming out of his ear. A victim impact statement from Jessie’s mother, Susan Simpson, indicated she didn’t know what had happened at the time, only told he was going in for emergency brain surgery.

The victim impact statement, read by Crown lawyers, outlined her grief since the incident more than two years ago. It outlined that Simpson is now in a long-term care facility in Kamloops and will never be the same. He is confined to a bed and needs to be mechanically lifted out when needed.

“My life has changed forever. I never thought he would be in a long-term care facility,” noted Susan’s victim impact statement.

Details in court revealed that Dr. Jill Calder, who has been assessing Simpson following the incident, said in April that he was in a wheelchair, able to move but very sparingly. It was noted in court that he was unable to retain any information, and thus not eligible for a rehabilitation program.

A follow up in August didn’t reveal any improvement and it was determined that Simpson will need 24-hour care for the rest of his life.

Teichrieb stood up to speak to the court — at which time Susan Simpson left the courtroom — and said he understands the grief he’s put the family through.

“I can’t say enough actually… I’ve hurt a lot of people,” said Teichrieb. “I’m tremendously sorry.”

by Ashley Legassic / Chad Klassen

UPDATE: Teichrieb sentenced to seven years in prison for aggravated assault

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