Judge discusses fate of teen who killed Devan Selvey in 2019

The family of Devan Selvey was back in court on Thursday as the fate of the teen convicted of stabbing and killing Selvey outside his Hamilton high school in 2019 is discussed.

In the Spring, the convicted teen will have completed four years behind bars and move on to the second part of his sentence, which is three years under supervision in the community.

But, the judge says he is “concerned” about the options of where the teen– who can not be identified because of his age– will live.

The family of Selvey packed the courtroom at John Sopinka Courthouse, wearing purple in his memory.

“The reason why we’re here and why we continue to be here is to keep Devan’s memory alive, most importantly. But also to keep the awareness out there that this can still happen. It’s still happening in schools, it’s still happening online. Another family shouldn’t have to go through this, live like this. This is a total nightmare,” Devan’s mother Sheri-Ann Selvey said.

READ MORE: Annual memorial to honour late teen Devan Selvey held in Hamilton

Selvey was 14 when he was stabbed in the back and killed outside of Winston Churchill High School in Fall of 2019.

The now-18-year-old– who was 14 at the time– pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

He’s now coming to the end of his time in custody in March 2024, and the judge has to decide on a plan for the teen to re-enter the community.

The crown read out new victim impact statements on Thursday.

Sheri-Ann wrote that she has tried to be compassionate in previous statements, but says it’s hard to hear that the teen instigated three assaults last year while behind bars.

She writes “You’ve been given so many chances … yet you continue to hurt people.”

READ MORE: Devan Selvey awarded honorary degree for would-be graduation

A probation officer told the judge there have been no incidents in 2023, and the teen is considered “respectful” and “mature.”

But, the judge says he’s concerned with where the teen would live, saying “none of the options are ideal.”

“Here we are back in court every four months, hearing about how good this kid is doing. My kid would probably be doing wonderful too, but he’s never going to get the chance to do anything,” Sheri-Ann said.

The convicted teen’s parents were also in court on Thursday.

The probation officer was asked to set up family counselling and continue to look into other options for where the teen can go once he is released.

The judge will make the final decision in March.