By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Confessed murderer to be sentenced today in Milton 7 · Friday, August 10, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com When asked to speak for himself at a pre-sentencing held in Milton's courthouse Wednesday, 34-year-old Jeffrey Craig apologized to the parents and son of the Oakville man he pleaded guilty to murdering. "I can't even begin to express the regret I feel for what happened," said Craig, a Burlington resident. "You guys are good people and don't deserve what happened... I am truly sorry for what happened." Craig has been in custody since Feb. 20, 2011 after he turned himself into police following the murder of Brian Watson, 45. Watson, shot three times, was found on Feb. 20, 2011 inside JW Custom Creationz, a unit in a light industrial complex on Speers Road, west of Fourth Line. Because Craig pleaded guilty, there was no trial. At the pre-sentencing hearing, both the Crown and defence presented Justice Bruce Durno with a statement of facts and written victim impact statements. Crown John Dibski asked for a 16- to 17-year sentence before eligibility for parole, while Craig's lawyer, Eugene Jack Bhattacharya, sought a lighter sentence of 12 years. Bhattacharya told the court justice that Craig's wife, parents and grandparents were in court and that he had continual support from his family. The man, a carpenter by trade, also has two young children. His father runs a construction business, in which Craig should be able to work upon release. According to statements made by the Crown and defence, Craig and Watson were known to each other prior to the murder. The court was told that Craig, a drug addict with an opiate dependence, was buying oxycodone from Watson. Further, Craig had paid a sum of money to Watson to do work on his motorbike at the shop where the murder took place. There was a dispute between the two over the completion of the work. Both men had criminal records, the court learned, Craig for shoplifting and narcotics, and Watson for using and dealing narcotics. Craig was hospitalized for his drug dependency and was released the day of the murder. Bhattacharya said at the pre-sentence hearing that Craig did not take medication prescribed to him and went to Watson's shop with a .44 caliber Magnum handgun. Bhattacharya then told the court justice that his client shot Watson twice in the body and, in Craig's confession to police, then shot Watson in the head to end his suffering. Bhattacharya said Craig then removed a memory chip from the shop's surveillance videos; however, he noted there was no evidence the chip taken would have revealed what happened. Bhattacharya told the court that Craig was consumed by his addiction and focused his frustrations on Watson by deciding to kill him, something he's accepted as a cowardly act. Bhattacharya said Craig is showing an effort to rehabilitate and has apologized to the victim's family. The Crown told the court the victim had been developing a relationship with his estranged son. He said the gun Craig used is one depicted in Dirty Harry films of the 1970s, a powerful and deadly handgun, one that Craig bought loaded, expecting a confrontation and that each of the three shots were considered fatal. Dibski admitted, Craig turning himself in, confessing, showing officers where he had hidden the weapon and pleading not guilty were mitigating factors for sentencing. However, he said there were some inconsistencies in his initial confession, he had removed the security chip from the shop that, under normal circumstances, would have revealed what occurred that day. He said it deprived the victim's family of knowing what happened in the shop. Dibski said Craig chose to immerse himself in the drug subculture, despite his education and family support. Craig's sentencing is scheduled for today in Milton. Mark Your Calendar! Churchill Place Corn Roast Dinner Wednesday, August 15th Join us at a Revera Retirement Residence of your choice as we host the following events: 5:00 pm 7:00 pm The Kensington Oakville Rib Fest "Sampler" Monday, August 13th British Pub Night Wednesday, August 22nd 5:00 pm 7:00 pm 4:00 pm 6:00 pm Trafalgar Lodge Summer Wine Tasting Thursday, August 23rd Candlelight Dinner Thursday, August 30th 5:30 pm 7:00 pm 5:00 pm 6:00 pm VISIt OUR WeDneSDAY, Open House on mAY 30 At HSC, I feel SAfe BeIng me. Our enhanced programs help deliver the curriculum in a meaningful and exciting manner, allowing our students to take controlled risks in a safe and nurturing environment. - Rob Reiner, Middle School Principal Seating is limited. Call to RSVP for the event date and location of your choice. Churchill Place 345 Church St Oakville The Kensington Oakville 25 Lakeshore Rd W Oakville 905-338-3311 905-844-4000 Trafalgar Lodge Hillfield Strathallan College is an independent day school for students from M3 and PK to Grade 12. Visit us at www.hsc.on.ca. Call Scott Barton It's worth it! 905-389-1367 www.hsc.on.ca reveraliving.com Revera: Canadian owned for 50 years with more than 250 locations. 905-842-8408 10682 08.12 299 Randall St Oakville