A teenage hitman who went on a shopping spree at West Edmonton Mall with the cash he got for shooting a dial-a-doper in the head was handed a life sentence yesterday.

Lee Michael Casavant, 19, was emotionless as Court of Queen's Bench Brian Burrows ruled he would be sentenced as an adult and then ordered him to serve a life term in prison with no chance of parole for 10 years.

The mother and grandmother of victim Brandon (Bruce) Dierich, 23, cried in happiness when the judge said Casavant would not be treated as a youth and they hugged other family members and friends after he was sentenced.

Outside court, Dierich's mom, Andrea Young, called the decision a "double-edged sword," saying she was "obviously happy" with it, but felt "sad" for Casavant's family.

"They've lost this child. Hopes and dreams are gone for them as well," said Young, telling reporters her son was just like the son of every other parent out there.

"He made a few bad decisions, but he was a very good kid," she said. "It's a tragedy all the way around."

Burrows said a youth sentence, a maximum of 10 years with up to six years being served in custody, would not be long enough to hold Casavant accountable for the killing.

"His crime demonstrates a degree of inhuman disregard for the value and sanctity of human life that is beyond comprehension," he said.

"(His) motivation by greed, his conduct in planning and committing the murder and his wanton conduct immediately afterward at West Edmonton Mall are as far from normative as it is possible to get."

Casavant pleaded guilty to first-degree murder last year.

Court has heard Casavant lured Dierich to a supposed drug buy near 93 Street and 68 Avenue on July 24, 2007.

The then-17-year-old rode up to Dierich's car on a BMX bicycle, passed him some money and, as Dierich turned to grab the cocaine, the teen fired twice into his head.

Court heard Casavant --also a dial-a-doper -- went to a friend's home and dumped on a bed the more than $7,000 he was paid by his boss for the hit.

When asked how he had got it, he replied he had "whacked somebody" and made a gun gesture with his fingers, saying "Bam-bam."

The pair took turns posing for photos with the cash before taking a taxi to West Edmonton Mall, where the teen rented the Fantasyland Hotel's Hollywood Suite and bought items including a BlackBerry, runners, clothes, a diamond-studded watch and a beer-guzzler hat.

TONY.BLAIS@SUNMEDIA.CA