A man who put a flare gun in another man’s mouth to intimidate him, fatally wounding him when the flare gun discharged, was sentenced Friday to nine years in prison.

George Thurrott, 59, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Friday in the death of Royburne Osmond, 59, who died in hospital on March 24, 2020, eight days after the incident at a supportive housing facility in Victoria .

Crown prosecutor Chandra Fisher said Osmond lived in the former Tally Ho motel at 3020 Douglas Street, as did his common-law wife, who lived in a separate unit in the building.

Thurrott thought Osmond was stealing from him and he wanted to intimidate Osmond into stopping him, defense attorney Sarah Runyon said.

In Osmond’s unit, Thurrott pinned Osmond against a wall with one arm and with the other hand grabbed a flare gun, putting the muzzle in Osmond’s mouth, Fisher said.

The flare gun discharged and a flare fired into Osmond’s mouth, hitting the back of his throat and “leaving a trail of burning chemicals,” she said.

The rocket came out of Osmond’s mouth and ricocheted around the room and under the door, Fisher said. The room filled with smoke.

Video from the hallway outside the unit, played in court, showed what looked like an explosion inside the room, with a burst of light coming from the unit and smoke pouring into the lobby.

Osmond and others in the room ran down the hallway and Thurrott tried to pull Osmond back into the room, Fisher said. Osmond collapsed in the hallway.

A staff member at the facility found Osmond bleeding from the mouth. In a “muffled, garbled voice,” he said Thurrott shot him, Fisher said.

Osmond was taken to hospital, where he later died. The throat injury had cut off the blood supply to nearly half of his brain, Fisher said.

Thurrott was arrested in Mississauga, Ontario on April 8, 2022 and initially charged with second degree murder.

“The real issue in this case was what the intent was, and because of various negotiations and discussions with the defense attorney regarding that intent, that’s why we’re arguing to involuntary manslaughter,” Fisher said.

In a victim impact statement read by Crown prosecutor Nick Melling, Osmond’s partner said she felt “deep physical pain” after losing her partner of 35 years.

“I miss you, Roy. We had a life planned together. We were going to get married. Our children were all grown up and our years of hard work were about to pay off. We were supposed to spend our golden years together. Now I’m alone and heartbroken forever without you.

Thurrott had an unstable upbringing in Nova Scotia that exposed him to drug addiction, sex work, violence and criminal behavior, Runyon said. He was sexually assaulted by his mother’s partner between the ages of three and eight. He was introduced to illicit substances by his mother and first used a substance when he was eight years old, she said.

Thurrott has the support of his 27-year-old daughter, who provided a letter describing the improvements she has seen in her father since his incarceration.

“My father faced significant issues with substance abuse. Despite his struggles, I have witnessed a remarkable transformation in him over the past two years,” Runyon said while reading the letter. “His current behavior and actions reflect a sincere commitment to recovery and a healthier lifestyle. Since his detention, my father has shown determination to improve himself.

Thurrott’s remorse for Osmond’s death is palpable, Runyon said.

Thurrott spoke briefly to express his apologies to Osmond’s family.

“I can’t change what happened but I truly apologize and I’m sorry for what happened that day,” he said.

Provincial Court Judge Adrian Brooks accepted a joint sentencing proposal from Crown and defense lawyers recommending nine years’ imprisonment. With time served since his arrest, Thurrott will spend another five years and two months in prison.

Brooks said Thurrott’s upbringing gave him very little chance of success in life.

“When I hear these circumstances, I am to some extent somewhat surprised that his criminal record is not longer and more serious than it is,” Brooks said.

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