‘How do I go on?’ Double homicide victim’s mother speaks at killers’ sentencing

A mother grieves as two killers face justice

A woman from Portage la Prairie lay in her bed, unable to bear the news of her son and his girlfriend's brutal murder. Preston Whitford and Jeremy Whincup, the accused, had forced their way into her home to collect a drug debt from James Borden, her adult son. The couple shot the victims multiple times, leaving Mary Bone devastated and struggling to find a reason to go on.

The victims, James Borden, 42, and Emily Smoke, 37, died instantly or shortly afterward. Whitford, the gunman, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and received a life sentence with no possibility of parole for 17 years. Whincup, Whitford's uncle, pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter and was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Crown and defence lawyers reached a plea bargain after considering weaknesses in the Crown's case, including the lack of witnesses. King’s Bench Justice Ken Champagne hoped the sentences would provide some comfort to Bone and her family. The killers had a history of criminal activity, with Whincup's criminal record spanning six pages and Whitford's life turning sour in his early 20s after associating with negative peers and engaging in drug-related activities.

Both killers apologized to the victims' families, with Whincup expressing sorrow for the hurt caused. However, Smoke's mother remains haunted by nightmares of gunfire, questioning why her daughter had to become a target during the attack. She wonders why the killers didn't simply leave after taking Borden's life.