Noah Bentley has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 10 more years for the 2016 second-degree murder of Brenda Woloski.
Sentencing took place on Friday morning in Medicine Hat court of Queens Bench. Four victim impact statements detailed pain and suffering caused by “senseless, brutal crime.”
He has been in custody since he led police to Woloski’s body in November 2016 at her home near Maple Avenue.
Bentley was convicted at trial in Oct. 2019. He never denied his actions, but defence counsel argued Bentley suffered from extreme mental conditions and should be found not criminally responsible.
Woloski’s daughter, Jessica Woloski-Donovan, said that she and her mother were estranged since childhood, but described her heartache that Bentley “closed the door” on any possible reconciliation.
“We are suffering and will suffer forever because of you,” she told Bentley.
Court heard at trial that the Bentley met Woloski at a bar following a day of drinking and the pair left to her home. He was picked up shirtless by police hours later, and a subsequent search found a badly beaten and stabbed body at the residence. A pre-sentencing report and psychological assessment describes Bentley as suffering from bi-polar disorder with schizophrenic tendencies.
“I wish I could give you answers,” he told the court, addressing Woloski’s family and friends.
“I never thought I’d be capable of causing so much pain to so many people. I agree completely with the court.”
Justice Glen Poelman agreed with a joint sentencing recommendation that set potential parole dates for the conviction that carries a mandatory life sentence in prison.
Having spent nearly four years in prison already, Bentley received two-years credit relating to parole timeline. His first potential parole hearing would occur in late 2030.
“This was a senseless, brutal murder, without it would appear, a moment’s thought by Mr. Bentley,” stated Poelman. “It might appear from that, that Ms. Woloski’s life was worthless, but nothing could be further from the truth.
“She mattered.”
