JusticeTaylor Japp convicted in Briana Hayes’s murder; parole wait still undecidedAired October 8, 2026 at 3:11 PM UTCWritten October 8, 2026 at 3:14 PM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:09A jury convicted Taylor Japp of murdering Brianna Hayes.0:12Second-degree murder carries mandatory life imprisonment, but his parole and0:16eligibility period remains undetermined.0:18What does this conviction settle, and what remains for the sentencing judge to0:22decide?0:23Twelve jurors found Japp guilty at the Court of King's Bench in Estevan,0:26Saskatchewan, just after 9:40 p.m.0:29on Tuesday, October 6th, 2026.0:31Their decision followed a six-week trial concerning Hayes's April 2024 shooting0:36death.0:36The defendant's full name is Taylor Morgan Japp, commonly shortened to Taylor Jap.0:41His surname has two P's.0:42The victim's first name, Brianna, has one N.0:45Both were identified as being from Oxbow.0:47Japp was identified as 26 in a photograph caption dated September 21st, 2026.0:52Justice Michael Morris gave the jury its final instructions on October 5th, and0:57deliberations began that day.0:58After two days of deliberations, the jury returned its verdict on October 6th.1:03Not October 7th or October 8th.1:05Japp denied killing Hayes.1:07He testified that a masked man shot her.1:09The guilty verdict establishes his criminal responsibility for second-degree murder1:13despite that denial.1:14It does not publicly explain which individual parts of the testimony jurors1:18accepted, rejected, or considered decisive.1:21Saskatchewan RCMP found Hayes's body in the rural municipality of Moose Mountain on1:26April 25th, 2024.1:28Those exact discovery details lack independent corroboration.1:31The place where her body was found must be distinguished from the house described in1:35Jap's testimony.1:36Japp testified that he removed Hayes's body from a house at White Bear Lake Resort1:41and concealed it in a municipality roughly 45 minutes away with Tyler Shaw's help.1:46That was his account of moving and hiding her body, not an admission that he shot1:50her.1:50Shaw's police account presented a different picture.1:53He said he heard a gunshot while outside, then saw Japp holding a black pistol1:57beside Hayes's bleeding body.1:58That describes what Shaw said he heard and saw afterward, not witnessing the shot2:03itself.2:06The distinction matters because a statement about the aftermath is not the same as2:10an eyewitness account of the shooting.2:12nor is it established precisely how Shaw's police statement entered the trial2:15record.2:16His participation is also described in conflicting ways that remain unresolved.2:20Shaw is identified as having died before the trial and not having testified to this2:24jury, but a separate reference to his later testimony remains unexplained.2:28It is unclear whether that means another proceeding, another stage, or an error.2:32His police statement, therefore, cannot be treated as uncontested testimony2:36delivered in person to these jurors.2:38Brandon Gibson was the Crown's final witness.2:40Trial evidence described Gibson and Hayes as assisting Japp in drug dealing across2:44southern Saskatchewan.2:46The murder verdict does not separately establish every allegation about those2:49activities.2:50Japp's testimony also addressed an alleged $30,000 offer to Gibson, an alibi, and2:55interactions with Shaw.2:56Gibson was identified as the alleged recipient, but who offered the money, its3:01purpose, and whether the allegation was contested remain unestablished.3:05There is no specific jury finding establishing that offer, a payment, or an3:09attempted purchase of testimony.3:11The verdict determines guilt on the murder charge.3:14It is not a separate endorsement of every assertion aired during the trial.3:18Second-degree murder carries mandatory life imprisonment, with parole eligibility3:22unavailable for at least 10 years.3:24But Jap's specific period has not been determined, and no completed sentencing order3:28is established.3:2910 years is not his final term or a promised release date.3:32The trial judge determines that period.3:34The sentencing provisions identify the offender's character as a consideration and3:38provide for a jury recommendation procedure.3:40No recommendation in this case is established.3:43The available legal details do not establish the complete statutory range, all3:47exceptions or the full list of considerations.3:49Counsel were expected back on Friday morning, October 9th, to discuss a date for3:53sentencing submissions.3:55That appearance is not independently confirmed.3:57It is a scheduling step, not an established sentencing hearing, an agreed sentence,4:02or a forecast of the judge's decision.4:04The conviction settles Jap's guilt.4:05The unresolved decision is how long he must serve before first becoming eligible for4:09parole.4:09The date of sentencing submissions, the prosecution and defense positions, and the4:13period the judge will impose remain undetermined.Explore with HeyDexFollow via RSSThe shortThe short ↗