Kody Giffen sentenced

By Janet Kanters, Editor

Kody Giffen, one of two brothers charged in the shooting death of local hockey player Kristian Ayoungman, will spend at least four years in prison for his crime.

Giffen pleaded guilty in August 2020 to manslaughter in the death of 24-year-old Ayoungman who was found dead in his vehicle south of Strathmore on March 17, 2019.

Giffen and his brother Brandon Giffen were initially charged with first-degree murder in Ayoungman’s death. Brandon is set to stand trial in June.

According to news sources, on March 16, when the sentencing took place, supporters of Ayoungman’s family were drumming and singing outside a Calgary courthouse with family members donning jerseys of one of the hockey teams Ayoungman played on.

Ayoungman’s mother, Melodie Hunt-Ayoungman, read a victim impact statement as part of the hearing.

News sources stated Hunt-Ayoungman said the sentencing was out of her hands and she would not fight it, and instead would focus on trying to heal.

Months after he was killed, Ayoungman’s jersey was retired in the Strathmore Family Centre during a ceremony that paid tribute to his life and his First Nation culture.