Tyler Greening 'really hated himself' after brutally attacking teenager from PWC, court hears

The only adult charged in the brutal attack on a St. John's High School student told a provincial judge Tuesday that he deeply regrets his role in the attack that left a teenager critically injured.

In a long and moving speech, Tyler Greening – who was 18 when he and several teenagers beat to death a student at Prince of Wales Collegiate – expressed regret for his involvement in the attack in March 2023.

Greening told Judge Jacqueline Brazil that the attack still plays “like a film” in his head and haunts him every day.

“Every day I felt remorse and shame,” he said. “Never once did I realize that things could escalate so quickly and almost end the life of an innocent boy.”

Greening, who was out of school and working full-time when he rounded up several teenagers to attack a Prince of Wales Collegiate student on school grounds, stressed that he decided to flee when the others drew weapons and used them against the teenager.

He apologized to the victim, his family and the school community and expressed his shame for his involvement.

“I was stunned and horrified by what I had just seen and disgusted that one of these guys was laughing after what he had just done,” he said. “I instantly froze. The only thing I could think was: Why in God's name was I here?”

Greening told the court he knew he had to talk to police but feared retaliation from the teens. He also said he considered suicide in the months after the attack as members of the public sent threats to his family.

“I really hated myself,” Greening said.

Greening's lawyer Robert Hoskins asked the judge to sentence Greening to house arrest and then to a suspended sentence of two to three years.

Hoskins argued that Greening had fulfilled the conditions for house arrest and had stayed out of trouble since being charged with aggravated assault. He had pleaded guilty to the charge and shown remorse for his actions.

The lawyer said Greening, who is now expecting a child, would benefit from continued supervision and guidance in the community.

“I don't want him to run in the wrong direction. Nobody wants that,” Hoskins said, adding that Greening played only a limited role in the attack.

“A young person … was drawn into this situation.”

Prosecutor Nicole Hurley argued that Greening acted like a fully capable adult at the time of the attack and should be treated as such when sentencing.

Hurley is demanding a prison sentence of 18 to 24 months.

Four other youths involved in the attack were sentenced to detention at the Newfoundland and Labrador Youth Centre in Whitbourne. Their sentences ranged from 18 to 24 months, the maximum sentence for youths.

Brazil will announce its verdict on greening on November 28.

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