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”Mr. Downey experienced no remorse after killing Ms. Baillie and then, a number of hours later, a five-year-old defenceless child,” Hughes said.

”I find that rehabilitation has little weight in any determination of parole ineligibility in light of Mr. Downey’s present age, his continuing criminal activity prior to the murders, and my characterization of him as a callous and remorseless individual.”

Downey murdered Baillie in her northwest Calgary home on June 11, 2016, for interfering with his relationship with his girlfriend, and then kidnapped and murdered Taliyah to silence her as a witness.

Photo by Alberta Courts

Hughes said there were multiple aggravating factors warranting consecutive periods of parole ineligibility on Downey’s automatic life sentence and only one mitigating one, the fact he continues to have support of his family.

Among the aggravating ones was the fact Taliyah knew Downey as a family friend.

“Taliyah was taken from her home by a person who she should have been able to trust,” Hughes said.

“Due to Taliyah’s age, denunciation and deterrence are the primary objects of sentencing Mr. Downey,” she said.

Hughes rejected arguments by defence lawyers Gavin Wolch and Meryl Friedland that the murders occurred as part of a single crime and should not involve consecutive periods of parole ineligibility.

“I find that the murder of Taliyah was a distinct and separate event from the murder of her mother,” said the judge. “While the events that led to the death of Ms. Baillie culminated in the death of Taliyah, Mr. Downey had time to consider what actions he would take after he kidnapped Taliyah from her home.”