A 17-year-old male has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of a man in Port Alberni two years ago.
The youth, who can’t be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was sentenced July 7 to four years in a correctional facility and three years of community supervision.
He was arrested on Jan. 20, 2022 and charged in the March 27, 2021 death. He had previously been arrested shortly after the incident and later released.
The body of Clifton Alec Johnston, 20, was found by a passerby about 7:20 a.m. on the sidewalk on 4th Avenue, outside the Port Alberni Friendship Centre.
“We appreciate the public’s continued support as our investigation has continued through the last two years, and acknowledge the emotions that have been felt throughout the community as they have waited for today,” said Const. Richard Johns.
“From the start, the Port Alberni RCMP has been dedicated to ensuring all available evidence was submitted in support of a successful prosecution. These efforts take time.”
Johnston was from both Port Alberni and Ahousaht.
Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council president Judith Sayers said Tuesday that the case is very sad.
“It’s such a tragic death for a young person, and to have a young person to be convicted of that,” she said. “And, of course, he was convicted to the greatest extent of the law for a young offender.”
Noting that the guilty plea will spare the family from going through a trial, Sayers said the outcome provides “at least some form of closure” for Johnston’s loved ones.
She said in a 2021 statement that Johnston “still had a world of living to do.”
“We know he was valued and loved by many,” she said. “We are told he had a gentle spirit and would never hurt a soul. He had a life of potential ahead and that was taken from him as a result of violence.”
