WINNIPEG - A homeless Winnipegger who killed another man in a fight over cigarettes will spend 10 years in prison before he's eligible for parole.
Virlin Bird was convicted of second-degree murder in the September 2005 death of William James McNabb. The mandatory sentence is life in prison with no chance of parole for at least 10 years.
The defence said Bird's actions were fuelled by alcohol and asked for the minimum term, while the Crown argued for at least 15 years.
Court heard that Bird and the 36-year-old McNabb worked at a temporary job site where Bird was fired after he was accused of stealing another man's cigarettes.
Bird blamed McNabb for the theft and stabbed him a few days later during a fight outside a homeless shelter.
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Article online since April 30th 2008, 0:00
Steven Guilbeault - 
