‘It eats me alive’: Accused apologizes for role in fatal shooting of Blenheim man

Standing in the prisoner’s box Wednesday, a young Windsor man charged in the shooting death of a Blenheim man in 2021 expressed his remorse.

Darius White, 20, had entered a guilty plea in Chatham court to the lesser charge of manslaughter, for which he received a five-year sentence as part of a joint submission.

“I am truly sorry,” he said to the family members present, as he read from a letter. “I am sorry for the pain his death has caused.

“It was my biggest regret and mistake in my life … It eats me alive.”

White was initially charged with second-degree murder and attempted murder following the death of Braedon Burk, 20, who was shot in front of a Blenheim home on the evening of April 21, 2021.

A co-accused, Chad Coupe, 20, also previously faced second-degree murder and attempted murder charges, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter last July.

Coupe was sentenced at nine years, but will serve just a little more than seven years after receiving 688 days of credit for pre-trial custody.

Although White didn’t pull the trigger, he arranged a drug transaction where the two would attend the residence of a different individual, but instead steal the drugs, making the defendant party to manslaughter, according to an agreed statement of facts.

Burk, who was visiting the home at the time, was taken to hospital, where he later died.

Earlier Wednesday, family members gave tearful victim impact statements about their son and brother having his life taken in such a violent fashion.

Burk’s mother Sheryl Caron said there will be no more phone calls, letters and cards from her son, adding she misses him every day.

“The pain in my heart is as strong as the day it happened,” she said. “He will always live on in our hearts and memories.”

Justice Robert Horton said no sentence would bring Burk back to his family, adding a “profound sadness” hangs over the case.

The judge told White that he played a significant role in the man’s death, but accepted that the defendant didn’t intend for anyone to be killed.

However, it was “entirely foreseeable,” Horton said.

Given the defendant’s First Nations’ background, a Gladue report was conducted. The pre-sentence report contains information on the unique circumstances of Aboriginal people accused of an offence.

White lacked parental support during his life and members of his family had dealt with residential school trauma, the report said.

He has had served 750 days in custody, which works out to 1,125 days of enhanced credit.

This leaves White with 700 days to serve in a provincial institution, according to the joint submission from Crown attorney Rob MacDonald, and White’s lawyer Jordana Goldlist.

Goldlist said her client is eager to rehabilitate, adding he has the ability and determination to do so. White has also completed various programs while in custody and hopes to continue his education, she said.

Horton said he hopes the man can “reset and make better choices” in his life, but noted the sad truth that the Burks won’t ever be able to move on in the same way.

Outside court, Jamie Burk, Braedon’s father, called it difficult to cope over the past two years when there are reminders of his son everywhere.

“He was a great kid,” he told The Daily News. “He was friendly. Loved by everybody. Never hurt anyone.”

Burk appreciated the remorse White showed in court, believing he got caught up with the wrong people.

“He seems sincere. He still looks like he’s in shock,” he said.

In addition to the custodial sentence, White received 18 months of probation, a lifetime weapons ban and a DNA order.

As for the man’s promise to turn his life around, Jamie Burk believes it’s possible given his efforts to date while in custody.

“It will be a difficult road for him, but I’m hoping,” he said. “I hope he does.”