Hamilton judge delays sentencing of man who killed teen cousin

Frustration filled a Hamilton courtroom Friday after the sentencing hearing for a 22-year-old man found guilty of killing his younger cousin was delayed.

The accused is now undergoing a mental health assessment.

Dozens of family members, friends, teachers and acquaintances of Mark Bistoyong gathered in a John Sopinka courtroom to honour the 16-year-old, who was fatally stabbed by his cousin, Lawrence Bistoyong, at a family party in July 2023.

Thirty-five victim impact statements were scheduled to be read during the hearing.

However, when the hearing began, the defence revealed that Lawrence had been admitted to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto in mid-December.

He appeared virtually in court Friday.

The defence requested that Lawrence receive a mental health assessment before sentencing.

The judge approved the request but noted this to be a rare occurrence at this stage in the proceedings.

Lawrence has been found guilty of second-degree murder for stabbing Mark in the chest with a kitchen knife after a basketball game at a nearby park escalated into aggression.

The family must now wait until the mental health assessment is completed before the proceedings can move forward.

WATCH MORE: Hamilton courtroom hears emotional Bistoyong family statements