Bentley gets life, no parole for 10

By COLLIN GALLANT on November 7, 2020.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant

The family of a woman killed by a man in a drunken psychotic episode four years ago described her as a troubled but beautiful soul who didn’t deserve her fate.

Noah Bentley was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 10 more years for the 2016 second-degree murder of Brenda Woloski.

Her daughters, sister and friends told a sentencing hearing held Friday at Court of Queen’s bench in Medicine Hat, that the pain remains from what the judge called a “senseless, brutal murder.”

Hatter Sherri Gutfreund, a friend and self-described guardian of Woloski’s adult daughters, from whom she was estranged, said she felt a life sentence was appropriate, but pain is real and lasting.

“We’re not looking forward to that (parole hearing),” said Gutfreund. “Eventually, we’ll have to find a way to forgive that man, but there are a lot of questions.

“It’s left us in limbo … he never showed any remorse until now, at the trial, but I feel he’s sincere now.”

Court heard at trial that the Bentley met Woloski, whose family says she struggled with substance abuse and mental health issues, at a bar following a day of drinking.

The pair left to her home near Maple Avenue on Nov. 12, 2016, and Bentley was picked up drunk and shirtless by police hours later. He led them to the residence to find the body. The cause of death, according to an agreed statement of facts, were 23 stab wounds that left her unrecognizable.

There is no known motivation for the attack.

Woloski’s daughter, Jessica Woloski-Donovan, said that Bentley “closed the door” on any possible reconciliation with her mother.

“We are suffering and will suffer forever because of you,” she told Bentley.

Gutfreund said that since their youth, Woloski’s daughters had called her “aunty” but sometimes “mama.”

“It breaks my heart, knowing that they are suffering,” she told court.

A pre-sentencing report and psychological assessment describes Bentley as suffering from bi-polar disorder with schizophrenic tendencies.

He is on “heavy” medication for mental health issues that led him to “hear voices,” according to defence attorney Darren Mahoney.

Since his imprisonment, he has become addicted to opioids. Further assessment will be done while he serves his sentence.

“I wish I could give you answers,” he told the court. “I never thought I’d be capable of causing so much pain to so many people. I agree completely with the court.”

“I hope someday it will be easier and the pain will stop.”

Justice Glen Poelman agreed with a joint sentencing recommendation from Mahoney and Crown attorneys Andea Pocha-Robbenhaar and Ryan Anstey that set out potential parole dates. Second-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence.

Having spent nearly four years in prison already, Bentley received two-years credit relating to parole timeline. His first parole hearing could potentially occur in late 2030.

“This was a senseless, brutal throwing away of a life, 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.”

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