The sentencing hearing of a woman from West Kelowna, B.C., who fatally struck her boyfriend with a vehicle in 2022, was suddenly halted on Friday after it was revealed that she had been hospitalized due to a drug overdose and suicide attempt during the lunch break.
The interruption occurred on the second day of the hearing for Ka-Mikosit Favelle, 30, who had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the killing of Adam Briand-Lawrence.
Earlier on Friday, Justice Catherine Murray mentioned the possibility of imposing a sentence higher than the seven years suggested by the Crown. Favelle’s defense lawyer, Paul McMurray, proposed a conditional sentence with house arrest, citing her clean criminal record.
Following the lunch break, when proceedings resumed in the afternoon, McMurray informed the judge that Favelle had been rushed to the hospital for a suspected drug overdose and suicide attempt as relayed by her parents.
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Favelle had been out on bail under the condition not to possess illegal substances.
Justice Murray issued an arrest warrant for Favelle under section 512.3 of the Criminal Code for breaching court conditions.
“We will adjourn until Ms. Favelle is able to appear before me to have a bail hearing,” Murray stated.
Residential Street in West Kelowna
During the initial hearing day, the court was briefed on the tumultuous relationship between Favelle and Briand-Lawrence, 35, marked by heavy substance abuse.
On August 19, 2022, following an argument, Favelle accelerated her vehicle to 95 km/h and struck Briand-Lawrence on a winding residential road in West Kelowna.
According to the prosecution, Favelle attempted to swerve at one point but tragically hit Briand-Lawrence, causing his death.
In 2023, Favelle faced a second-degree murder charge, which was later reduced to manslaughter after her guilty plea.