UPDATE: Appeal Court reserves decision on more time for convicted coach Graham James

WINNIPEG — The Manitoba Court of Appeal has reserved its decision on whether former hockey coach Graham James should serve more than two years in prison for abusing two of his former players.

James was convicted earlier this year of sexually abusing NHL star Theo Fleury and his younger cousin Todd Holt when they played for James in the junior ranks.

The Crown argued four years would have been a more appropriate sentence considering the nature of the offences.

Prosecutor Elizabeth Thomson told the Appeal Court the trial judge put too much weight on the 3 1/2-year sentence James received in 1997 for abusing other young hockey players.

But James’ lawyer argued the sentencing judge took into consideration the 15 years between his client’s first sentence in 1997 and his subsequent rehabilitation.

James is already eligible to ask for full parole.

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(Earlier story)

WINNIPEG — The prosecution in the Graham James case returns to court in Winnipeg this morning to try to appeal the two-year sentence the former hockey coach was handed for sexual abuse.

James was convicted earlier this year of sexually abusing two of his former players — N-H-L star Theo Fleury and his younger cousin Todd Holt — in the 1980s when the two were teenagers.

The Crown is asking for a six-year sentence, arguing the judge put too much stock in prior sentencing decisions for similar offences.

If the Crown isn’t successful in its appeal, James ‘will be eligible for statutory release next July.

Back in 1997, James was sentenced to 3 1/2 years for molesting former NHLer Sheldon Kennedy and two other players.

He finished serving that sentence in 2000.