The Crown and defence are miles apart on the proper sentence for Des Downey, who killed another man with a single punch to the head four years ago.

The submissions reflect the broad range for the charge of manslaughter — from a suspended sentence to life in prison.

So the devil is very much in the details, particularly the autopsy on 71-year-old Doug Hunt, who died of a brain bleed due to a broken neck, but also cited his brittle bones and presence of blood thinners.

The Crown is seeking five-and-a-half to six years in prison for Downey, calling his actions “unprompted, unprovoked, unwarranted rage.”

The defence, however, said that’s “dangerously overstated,” arguing 18 to 24 months would be more appropriate.

They noted stark differences with case law from the Crown; namely, a single punch versus stabbings, a shooting and a brutal beating, with all of them being murder cases pleaded down to manslaughter — the difference being intent to kill.

The fatal punch occurred in a driveway on Wishingwell Road on March 3rd of 2022, but it wasn’t until hours later that its impact caused death.

Downey wrote a letter of apology for an English assignment while at the HMP, which was read in court by his lawyer, who said Downey was too nervous to read it himself.

But before court adjourned he stood up and turned to face Hunt’s family and friends, telling them: “I’d like to apologize to Doug’s family. I’m very sorry that this happened.”

Downey is still facing charges of theft, intimidating a witness and breaching orders in provincial court.

He’s due to be sentenced for manslaughter on May 8th.