A Kelowna woman could see up to seven years behind bars for manslaughter if Justice Murray imposes the full term Crown prosecutors are requesting.
Ka-Mikosit Mae Favelle was in Kelowna Supreme Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to manslaughter in relation to the death of her ex-partner, Adam Briand-Lawrence, on Aug. 19, 2022.
Friends and family of both parties filled the courtroom on Jan. 22 to learn Favelle’s fate.
Crown counsel Jordan Schroeder asked for a seven-year prison sentence for Favelle ahead of reading an agreed statement of facts before the court.
Favelle was driving along Horizon Drive in West Kelowna on Aug. 19, 2022, with Briand-Lawrence as a passenger. The couple, who the court heard had been together since February of that year, started to argue, and the victim exited the vehicle. Both parties were said to have alcohol and drugs in their system at the time.
The court heard that Favelle continued along Horizon Drive before making a U-turn and accelerating toward the victim at about 95 kilometres per hour. As Favelle drove toward the victim, she turned the wheel two seconds prior to reaching Briand-Lawrence but failed to maneuver the car, ultimately striking and killing the victim. Briand-Lawrence was 35 years old at the time of his death.
Favelle was arrested on Sept. 15, 2023, more than a year after the incident, and charged with second-degree murder, criminal negligence causing death and dangerous driving causing death. The woman was granted bail in November 2023. Favelle later pleaded guilty to the “lesser included offence” of manslaughter in July 2025.
Briand-Lawrence’s sister, Stephenie Lawrence, addressed the court on Thursday, explaining that “half of me is missing”. She stated that her brother was a loving and caring uncle to her kids and expressed grief knowing Briand-Lawrence would never be a father of his own.
Stephenie also spoke about the struggle of seeing Favelle continue with everyday life.
“The first year after killing my brother, she walked free. And, in that first year, it felt like the accused continued her life as though nothing had happened, consistently posting publicly on social media things like, photos of herself dressed up, attending music festivals. Making comments that she was innocent until proven guilty,” the sister read from her prepared statement.
Stephenie added that, “The most hurtful of all, (was Favelle) entering into a relationship and getting married within 10 months after my brother was killed.”
Statements from Briand-Lawrence’s father, Phillip Lawrence and best friend were also read before the court. The statements expressed grief of burying a child and explained the relationship Briand-Lawrence had made with members from the Penticton Indian Band.
Schroeder argued that a seven-year sentence was fitting for Favelle, as she had breached bail orders on more than one occasion, including continued use of drugs and alcohol and failure to obtain permission to leave her residence while on house arrest. Crown also noted Favelle had not been attending all counselling appointments as required.
Crown added that Favelle is an “unreliable historian” with inconsistencies in her story. Schoeder explained that Favelle had submitted three different reports stating that she had been clean and sober since the time of her arrest. He continued that she went further with her statement in the pre-sentence report, claiming she had been clean from drugs and alcohol since the day Briand-Lawrence was killed.
Schroeder said Favelle’s statement was contradicted in medical records of a psychiatric report stating she had used methamphetamines and MDMA as recently as Mar. 4, 2024, and was under the influence of alcohol as recently as June 2024.
The court also heard that Favelle claimed she was a certified paramedic. Schroeder said it came out that Favelle had only taken a three-week course at Okanagan College and was not an actual paramedic.
Defence is requesting a conditional sentence order of two years less a day, followed by three years’ probation.
Defence attorney Paul McMurray detailed Favelle’s childhood as being difficult, having been born to an Indigenous woman with a history of mental health challenges and substance use. She was then adopted shortly after her birth, followed by the separation of her parents when she was seven, and she suffered physical abuse from her stepfather.
McMurray told the court that Favelle likely has schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder and that, along with substance use challenges, a prison setting would be the wrong place for someone such as Favelle.
“The only benefit of jail in this situation is to emphasize denunciation and deterrence,” McMurray said, adding that prison would not have the proper resources to help Favelle with her substance use and that she would benefit more from being in the community.
Justice Murray questioned McMurray, noting the psychiatric report states Favelle is at high risk to reoffend if she continues to use drugs and alcohol. The justice added that conditional sentences are not possible for those who cannot comply with orders, citing Favelle’s multiple breaches of her bail order.
Favelle also appeared more than seven minutes late to Thursday’s afternoon proceedings, and after Justice Murray had been seated.
The sentencing hearing will continue on Jan. 23. It’s unclear if Justice Murray will give her verdict on Friday or defer to a later date.