Man who helped kill nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbell convicted: ‘I was terrified of him’ | Abroad

The girl and her mother were shot at in their own home after a wild chase between two rival drug dealers. Cheryl Korbel, Olivia’s mother, heard a commotion in the street and opened the front door to see what was going on. The gunman was then chasing his rival Joseph Nee, who stormed into the house. The bullet that Cashman fired flew straight through the door, hitting nine-year-old Olivia, who later died in hospital.

Paul Russel, 41, the new partner of Cashman’s former girlfriend, was convicted after pleading guilty to aiding the killer. He admitted to giving Cashman a ride to his car in the aftermath of the shooting of Olivia, which took place on August 22 last year.

Russell later told police he was “terrified” of Cashman and didn’t know he killed the child when he helped him. “This case should serve as a warning to others who may be tempted to help an offender, regardless of motivation to do so,” Judge Amanda Yip said during the verdict.

The gunman, Thomas Cashman, was sentenced at his trial in March to at least 42 years in prison for the girl’s murder. He was also found guilty of wounding her mother, attempted murder of Nee and possession of firearms with intent to endanger another’s life.

Russell himself pleaded guilty in October, during questioning before the shooter’s trial. The media were not allowed to release his plea until Cashman’s trial was over.