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Man was ‘out of character’ when he shoved wife: lawyer

A Calgary man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in his wife’s death told his sentencing hearing Tuesday that he cries for her each day and wants to be a “useful member of society” again.

CALGARY — A Calgary man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in his wife’s death told his sentencing hearing Tuesday that he cries for her each day and wants to be a “useful member of society” again.

“I weep every day,” Shengjun An said, through an interpreter. “If I could build a ladder, I would climb to heaven to bring her back to Earth.”

An, 44, was originally charged with first-degree murder after paramedics found his wife, Yarong (Susan) Cheng, in cardiac arrest just over a year ago. She died despite 30 minutes of CPR.

Court heard how An was angry after learning that Cheng was having an affair. He shoved her and she fell backward hitting her head on a concrete floor. She died 16-hours later. A 911 call had been made from the home, but An initially told the dispatcher that the call had been placed in error. He eventually called 911 again when Cheng wouldn’t wake up.

“I did not carry out my responsibility as a father,” An told the court.

“Now everything in my life is broken. She is gone. I have taken the happiness of two daughters,” he said. “I am left with grief. I am left with guilt.”

An, who has a PhD in molecular biology, said he should have been more understanding of his wife’s needs. He said he can never make up for what he has done.

His lawyer Alain Hepner said his client was acting “completely out of character” when he shoved his wife.

The defence is recommending a five-year sentence. The Crown is recommending something in the range of seven to 10 years.