Joel Clow gets court-appointed lawyer to help with manslaughter sentence appeal

A P.E.I. courthasappointed a lawyer to help Joel Lawrence Clow appeal his sentence for manslaughter in his girlfriend's death.

Clow killed Traci Lynchin 2015 and was convicted of second-degree murder in 2017, but the conviction was overturned on appeal in 2019 and a new trial was ordered.

However, before a second trial could begin, Clow pleaded guilty to manslaughter and agreed to a joint recommendation by his lawyer and the Crown for a 12-year sentence.

In August 2019,Clowfiled an appeal, arguing that he was misled into thinking the time he'd already spent in custody 3.9 years would be taken off the 12-year sentence.

Lynch died in Pleasant Grove in 2015 from blunt force injury and strangulation.

Clow admitted that his actions caused Lynch's death, but said he was too impaired by drugs and alcohol to understand what he was doing.

At a hearing on May 10 of this year, the P.E.I. Court of Appealwas told that Clow, now 52, does not have any assets and cannot afford a lawyer.

These issues are beyond the capability of Clow to understand- Justice John Mitchell

In a written decision Wednesday, Justice John Mitchell said the question for the court is not whether Clow's appeal will succeed, but whether it's arguable and in his opinion, it is.

Mitchell noted that Clow dropped out of school in Grade 7 and had informed the court he was assessed in jailat a Grade 3 or 4 level.

"There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that these issues are beyond the capability of Clow to understand and properly advance," Mitchell said of the legal principles involved in such a sentence appeal.

"There is no doubtin my mind that Clow needs legal assistance to pursue his appeal."

Mitchell appointed Chris Montignyas counsel for Clow, who has so far represented himself in his appeal.

No date for the appeal has beenset.

The Crown and the Attorney General have both said thatClow's appeal has no merit, and that Clow understood what he was agreeing to.

More from CBC P.E.I.