Second-degree murder charges result in automatic life sentences in Canada. According to CBC News, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid actor was experiencing suicidal thoughts and had fears about his mother learning he had stopped attending classes at Simon Fraser University. The prosecutor also referenced two psychiatric reports highlighting Grantham’s struggle with depression leading up to the murder. “Barbara Waite loved her son very much, was an excellent parent and in her mind had no reason to fear him,” she said during the hearing. Prosecutor Michaela Donnelly stated that the defendant committed a “heartbreaking breach of trust” by allegedly shooting his mother. Grantham’s disordered thinking, to prevent his mother from seeing what he thought he was about to do.” “At the time of the offense, this killing was not done out of hatred or animosity,” Johnson said. Grantham’s lawyer Chris Johnson argued that mental illness contributed to his client’s actions. But from every fiber of my being, I am sorry.” In the face of something so horrible, saying sorry seems so pointless. “It hurts me to think about how badly I’ve wasted my life.
I have no excuse,” the 24-year-old said of shooting his mother in a statement to the court on Wednesday, June 15.
