Sportswriter Jonah Keri sentenced to 21 months in prison for domestic violence

On Wednesday, Montreal native Jonah Keri, a longtime writer covering sports, entertainment and business, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for domestic violence. 

On July 18, 2019, Keri was initially arrested for allegedly assaulting his now ex-wife, charged with assault causing bodily harm and death threats. 

Keri was granted bail after the arrest but was subsequently arrested two more times: first, on No. 27, 2019, on a charge of violating his bail conditions and again on Dec. 10, 2019, charged with eight new domestic violence counts, including assault, assault of a minor and criminal harassment. 

On Aug. 30, 2021, Keri pleaded guilty before being sentenced this week. 

"The repetitive nature of the violent acts is an aggravating circumstance. This is not a case involving an isolated act, but rather recurrent conduct by the offender over a long period," Quebec Court Judge Alexandre Dalmau said before sentencing on Wednesday. "This observation must absolutely be taken into consideration in sentencing. The court is therefore in the delicate situation where the appropriate balance must be struck between objectives of denunciation and deterrence and those related to the rehabilitation of the offender."