Hanishewski sentenced to nine years for murder attempt

A 47-year-old Rama man will serve nine years less time served for attempting to murder his neighbour.

On July 27, 2010, Rodney Hanishewski shot at Greg Bugeria 10 times using two different rifles while the latter was swathing hay on land owned by Clarence Hanishewski, Rodney's brother. The first bullet, from a Remington .306, shattered the windshield of Bugeria's tractor and ripped a nine-inch hole through the man's left shoulder.

Nine of the 10 shots hit the tractor and as Bugeria tried to flee, Rodney tried to follow, but muddy conditions prevented his Pontiac Grand Am from traversing the field. Rodney left and Bugeria was able to call for help on his cell phone.

Warman RCMP arrested Rodney the next day with the guns.

After nearly two-and-a-half years, in December 2012, Rodney finally pleaded guilty to attempted murder. During a sentencing hearing in February, the Crown, represented by Darren Grindle called for a sentence of seven to nine years citing premeditation and lack of remorse as indicated in a psychiatric report.

In siding with the high end of the prosecution's recommendation in Yorkton court May 24, Judge Patrick Koskie considered a pre-sentence report that assessed Rodney as a medium risk to reoffend, victim impact statements by Bugeria, his wife Marie and Rodney's brother Clarence and several pieces of case law.

"I have decided this range is appropriate due to the nature and manner this offense [sic] was carried out," Koskie said. It was not a spur of the moment act. He used two guns and took ten shots. The message must be clear this action will be treated seriously by our society."

The judge did, however, consent to defence counsel Michael Nolin's request that Rodney serve his time at the Regional Psychiatric Centre in Saskatoon.

"This will provide the best solution and long-term safety for society as a whole," Koskie said. "It also accurately reflects the accused's ongoing mental health issues."

In addition to the custodial term, the judge ordered a DNA sample and lifetime ban on owning or possessing any firearm, weapon, device, explosive substance and ammunition.

With credit for time served, Rodney has just over six years remaining in his sentence.

For complete coverage of this breaking story, including full details of the crime, mitigating and aggravating circumstances, the judge's reasoning, content of victim impact statements and case law, please see the May 29 print edition of Yorkton This Week.