Third accused sentenced in 2017 murder in Hope

Three men involved in a 2017 homicide in Hope have pleaded guilty.

Ryan Watt, 30, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Aug. 31, bringing years of court deliberations over the murder of Michael Bonin, 20, to a close, according to a news release from the Integrated Investigative Homicide Team.

Joshua Fleurant, Jared Jorgenson and Ryan Watt were each charged with the first-degree murder of Bonin on Jan. 11, 2018.

Bonin's body was found on a forest service road on April 20, 2017, north of Hope.

Hope RCMP and the Chilliwack Serious Crimes Unit initially responded, before the investigation was taken over by the Integrated Homicide Investigative Team.

Bonin's mother, Annette Bonin, said her son did not deserve to die.

“He was a loving, helpful and loyal young man who had lots to live for. The pain of losing Michael will never go away and many lives have been changed by this selfish act. I hope those responsible for taking Michael’s life are held accountable,” she said in a 2018 news release, after the three men were arrested together on Jan. 12.

All three of the men have pleaded guilty, but none of them were sentenced for the initial first-degree murder charge.

Watt was sentenced to 15 years in prison, minus time served, on Aug. 31, according to the release.

Jorgenson was the second to plead guilty. On June 24, 2021, he was sentenced to 252 days in prison, followed by three years of probation.

Fleurant was the first to plead guilty. On May 3, 2021, he was sentenced to life in prison for second-degree murder. He won't be eligible for parole for at least 20 years.

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