A 2022 road rage incident where a young Brant County drug dealer pointed a loaded firearm at a stranger was resolved with a serious penitentiary sentence despite an outpouring of support from his family and friends.
Advertisement 2
Article content
Jack Conway, 22, had a “unique path to criminal behavior” said his lawyer, after being diagnosed at the age of 18 with Burkitt lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
Article content
“He was a normal and pro-social young man before being diagnosed,” said Lauren Wilhelm.
“His treatment included four rounds of aggressive chemotherapy (and) lumbar punctures that resulted in a spinal leak, head pain and ulcers throughout his body. He was left weak and in a wheelchair. A truly harrowing ordeal for such a young person.”
Today Conway is considered cancer-free although a scare while he was in custody led to a bail hearing in March, and his release under strict house arrest.
“Most of us can’t fathom what you went through,” said Justice Robert Gee.
Advertisement 3
Article content
“But it’s a bit of a head-scratcher why you would turn to this type of behavior when you were given a second lease on life. It’s troubling.”
During the Nov. 8, 2022 incident, officers were called after Conway pointed a gun at another man in the area of St. Paul Avenue and King George Road.
After he was arrested, police searched his vehicle and found two loaded handguns – one with a filed-off serial number and one with an illegal magazine – a knife, cash and a variety of street drugs.
Crown lawyers suggested the judge make consecutive sentences on the drug and firearm charges with assistant Crown attorney Cameron Rogers asking for a total or global sentence of seven years.
“He was carrying two prohibited firearms in public and they were in his vehicle,” Rogers said.
Advertisement 4
Article content
“The firearm under his seat had a bullet in the chamber, ready to go. Your honor should send a message to Mr. Conway and anyone else in the community who would put us at risk by dealing drugs and pointing weapons.”
But Wilhelm urged the judge to sentence Conway to five years in prison plus giving him extra credit for pandemic hardships in custody and his seven-month house arrest.
“These offenses are serious and deserve a serious penalty but this is a young man who is capable of righting his course.”
Conway apologized for the pain of his “immature and reckless” behavior.
“I have hurt my family and friends,” he said, “but I’m not a lost cause and I can still do good.”
Gee said his sentence of five years, less about six months of time served, was already reduced somewhat by taking into consideration Conway’s lack of record, youth and the lockdowns he endured.
Advertisement 5
Article content
The judge expressed some concern about the glowing character letters he received about Conway.
“Nobody in your life seemed to acknowledge this behavior was taking place.” said Gee. “Are they not telling me the truth, are they willfully blind or are you that duplicitous that you could hide this behavior from your family and friends? There ought to have been signs.”
The judge said Conway seemed to be two people: “the one that can be the good citizen, employee, son, grandson and friend and the one who can hide bad behavior from people.”
And Gee warned Conway that if he returns to the drug trade, he will be caught again and be back in prison with an even longer sentence.
“Someone always comes along who wants to cut a deal and you’re on the police radar now.”
“Yes, sir,” replied Conway.
“Love you guys,” he said to family and supporters as he was led away.
@EXPSGamble
Article content