Hamilton man gets 13 months in jail for obstructing justice in Yosif Al-Hasnawi case

A Hamilton man who texted afriend to warn him that police were coming after him in connection with the shooting death ofYosifAl-Hasnawiwas sentenced to 13 months in jail Tuesday.

JamesMatheson, 21, of Hamilton, pleaded guilty to obstruction of justicefor his role in the incident last December, where the 19-year-oldAl-Hasnawiwas fatally shotnear a lower-city mosque.

Al-Hasnawi had gone to the aid of a man he saw being accosted by Matheson and a second man, who is charged with second-degreemurder.

Mathesonwas sentenced to 389 days in jail, although with creditfor nine months he spent in pre-trial custody, he's out on probation now.

The move was a plea deal in connection with the murder of the 19-year-old pre-med student that dates back toDec. 2, 2017.

The case also generated controversy at the time after allegations paramedics tending to the wounded teendid not properly treat him and minimized his injuries.

According to an agreed statement of factspresented in Hamilton court Tuesday regarding Matheson's role,Matheson and a friendwere drinking and taking meth. They left Matheson'sGrant Avenue South apartment around 8:45 p.m., the court heard. Thefriend had a .22 caliber handgun tucked into his pants.

Near Cadillac Jax Bar and Grill, they saw an older man who looked drunk. Matheson started "mocking the man by yelling at him."

The statement said that Al-Hasnawi was outside the Al-Moustafa Islamic Centre with his younger brother and twofriends. He called out for them to stop harassing the man.

The pair crossed the street and "a brief altercation turned physical," the court heard.Al-Hasnawiasked if they were going to "jump" the man, and thefriend flashed his gun. Mathesonsucker-punched Al-Hasnawiin the head, making him stagger off balance. He hit him a couple more times and the pair turned and ran.

Al-Hasnawiran after them, the court heard. He caught up with them in the Hasty Market parking lot at Main Street East and Sanford Avenue South. The pairkept running, and the agreed statement of facts allegesthe friend turned while running andfired the gun.

The bullet hit Al-Hasnawi's abdomen. He died in hospital an hour later.

'It's happening ... they're here'

Mathesonwas later arrested at his apartment. He texted hisfriendwith "It's happening they're here" and "Dissapear(sic)."

Mathesonappeared in court with his girlfriend Tuesday. His brown hair was closely shorn, and he wore a grey hoodie and pair of baggy jeans hung low on his waist, held up by a belt.

Behind him,Al-Hasnawi'smother andfather watched quietly.

"Being here has been very hard on me in many different ways," saidAmalAlzurufiin a victim impact statement.

"I think of (Yosif) almost every minute."

Plea dealfor helping with the case

She said she doesn't hold a grudge againstMatheson, but "I do ask you to think of what you did and try to make better choices in life."

Matheson'slawyer,JordanaGoldlist, said he is.Mathesonis working fora roofer, she said, and is in a good relationship with his girlfriend. He's also reconnecting with his daughter.

"He has been helpful in the prosecution against the shooter," she said."He has, in fact,from the very beginning."

The accused shooter's casewill be back in court Nov. 14.

Meanwhile, two paramedics, who were fired by the city,face criminal charges in relation to Al-Hasnawi's treatment at the scene. They'll be back in court Dec. 4.