A man from Chatham has been sentenced to 7.5 years behind bars for killing another man from Chatham last year.
Daulton Bastien, 26, has another 69 months left to serve in a penitentiary after being given credit for time already served at the jail in Windsor, but was denied enhanced credit for harsh conditions at the jail during the pandemic.
Bastien's sentence was handed down by Justice Robert Horton in a Chatham courtroom on Monday afternoon for beating Beau Veenstra, 31, to death 14 months ago. Bastien pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter two months ago. He was originally charged with second degree murder.
A lifetime ban on weapons, a DNA sample, and no contact with several people, including the Veenstra family and co-accused Manley and Hunter were also ordered for Bastien.
Veenstra of Howard Township died in the hospital of severe head injuries suffered during a fight at a Chatham apartment on September 21, 2021. The Coroner ruled Veenstra’s death as a homicide and the cause of death as a lack of oxygen to the brain as a result of the blunt force trauma to Veenstra’s brain.
The court heard Veenstra was caught trying to steal from Manley and Hunter and was duct taped to a chair and beaten unconscious by Bastien, but wasn't taken to the hospital until two hours later.
Justice Horton said he took into account Bastien's violence and criminal record along with his mental health issues, addiction to crystal methamphetamine, overcrowding at the jail, and COVID-19 lockdowns while he was incarcerated. The Assistant Crown cited more than 25 convictions on Bastien's criminal record since 2016, including aggravated assault and weapons charges.
The court also heard that the beating happened while Bastien was on probation and out on bail for other charges.
Bastien's co-accused, Melvin Manley, 50, and Michelle Hunter, 42, were recently sentenced.
Several victim impact statements were read in court.
Veenstra’s sister said the way her brother died was horrific and it will haunt her for the rest of her life.
“On September 29th my parents had to do the unthinkable, one of the hardest things any parent would have to do, pull their son off life support,” she said. “Being in the room where it all happened was scarring and something no one on this earth should ever have to witness. It took my brother nine days to die.”
Veenstra’s mother Claudette said she struggled with her victim impact statement.
“How can I put into words the unrelenting anguish and heartbreak that I feel each and every day,” she told the court. “I’m unable to enjoy the memories I have with my son, not able to look at photographs or video. Thinking about my beautiful boy and how he passed is still a pain too great to bear.”
Veenstra’s father Dale said his son was his best friend.
“He (Beau) helped me with my day to day living as I struggle with my health. So much was taken from so many people. I cry for the pain this causes my grandchildren,” he said.
Bastien apologized to the Veenstra family and said he wants to spend time with his estranged daughter after the sentence.
Bastien was released from custody at the Windsor Jail in early October on a $20,000 bail bond to spend time with his ailing grandmother and had to follow several bail conditions, including wearing a GPS monitor and residing with his surety (his mother). However, he was arrested again just over a week later on mischief charges.
Bastien's defence lawyer said he has anger management issues and is on medication. He also grew up without a father figure after his dad died when he was a boy and was in foster care for a while. The court was also told he started doing drugs when he was 16 and has been kicked out of detox a couple of times for misbehaving.