‘This is not freedom’: Teen convicted of manslaughter granted early release to house arrest

A courtroom at the Law Courts building in Edmonton. (Amanda Anderson/CTV News Edmonton)

An Edmonton teen involved in a deadly school yard attack in 2022 will soon be released from jail.

The teen’s identity is protected by a publication ban.

The teen, SM, was one of five teen boys – armed with a knife, airsoft gun and field hockey stick that swarmed 16-year-old Karanveer Sahota.

He later died in hospital.

In March 2025, Justice T. Marriott found SM was an “active participant” in the events leading to Sahota’s death and found him guilty of manslaughter.

He was sentenced to 18 months total. Nine months to be served in custody, the remainder under conditional supervision.

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On Thursday, the teen was back in front of the same justice with an application to be released from the custody portion of his sentence and be put on house arrest.

His lawyer argued he has been a model inmate, has completed all possible programming and his rehabilitation would benefit from his reintegration into the community.

The application was opposed by the Crown who told the court the purpose of the Youth Criminal Justice Act is to hold the accused accountable through meaningful consequences before pointing out the seriousness of the teen’s charge.

“Maybe you do need to sit for another two-and-a-half months to receive the proper consequences,” said Crown prosecutor Jeff Rudiak.

The custodial portion of the teen’s sentence is set to expire on Dec. 25, 2025.

The justice decided to grant the application.

“This is not freedom,” said Justice Marriott. “Any misstep and you will be back where you are,” she added.

SM will be on 24-hour house arrest with exemptions only for counselling or educational courses if they are not available online.

Other conditions include no cell phone, no internet access unless required for the exemptions, no contact with anyone involved in the case and no visitors unless first approved by his parents and a probation officer.

The teen will be back in court next month to set out conditions for the supervision portion of his sentence.