Attempted Murder (Sentencing Cases)

This page was last substantively updated or reviewed January 2018. (Rev. # 88345)

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Attempted Murder

2000 to present

Case Name	Prv.	Crt.	Sentence	Summary
R v JA, 2017 ONSC 525 (CanLII), per O'Marra J	ON	SC	10 years imprisonment	"J.A. was found guilty by a jury of the second degree murder of his six-year-old daughter and the attempted murder of his seven-year-old son. Following the dissolution of his marriage, J.A. was suicidal. He attended at the school of the two victims, telling officials the children had medical appointments to attend. That was not true. He picked up some alcohol and sleeping medication before attending at a hotel. He gave each child some sleeping medication and sparkling wine. Eventually, the police were alerted when the two children did not return from school. When the police arrived at the hotel room, one child was unconscious (and eventually died). The other was drowsy. The cause of death was the combined toxicity of the sleep medication combined with alcohol. On the count of murder, J.A. was imprisoned for life with parole eligibility set at 18 years. He was given a concurrent sentence of 10 years for attempted murder." [1]
R v Kormendy, 2017 ONSC 6426 (CanLII), per Bondy J	ON	SC	20 years imprisonment (global)	"Mr. Kormendy was convicted of, amongst other things, three counts of attempted murder by arson. Mr. Kormendy was in a romantic relationship with one of the victims. They were living together in Windsor, Ontario with her three children. Two of the children were also victims in the arson, a seven-year-old daughter and a one-year-old-daughter. The third escaped the consequences of the arson because she was not home at the time. The fire was started because the victim had asked Mr. Kormendy to leave the home. He poured gasoline around the room and on the outside of the door where she was sleeping with her 7-year-old daughter. He also poured gasoline on the beds. By pouring gasoline around the door, Mr. Kormendy essentially trapped the two victims in the room by fire. Despite the screams of his victims after the fire started and the rooms being engulfed in flames, Mr. Kormendy did nothing to help his victims. During the sentencing proceeding, Mr. Kormendy demonstrated little insight into his behaviour." [2] The Court of Appeal increased the sentence from 11 years to 20 years.
R v Forcillo, 2016 ONSC 4850 (CanLII), per Then J	ON	SC	6 years imprisonment	A mandatory minimum of 5 years applied.
R v Hoare, 2016 ONCJ 36 (CanLII), per Wadden J	ON	PC	11 years imprisonment	The offender assaulted he spouse with a baseball bat. He had no criminal record.
R v Kaleki, 2016 QCCQ 1276 (CanLII), per Paradis J	QC	PC	3 years imprisonment	"Accused did not accept that her daughter wet out in nightclubs. ...Accused used a cleaver to assault the victim who was seriously injured. ...Victim is healed and the accused poses little risk of reoffending."
R v Zugravescu, 2015 QCCA 914 (CanLII), per curiam	QC	CA	7 years imprisonment
R v Koopmans, 2015 BCSC 2120 (CanLII), per Maisonville J	BC	SC		"[A] 51-year-old man without a criminal record was convicted of two counts of second degree murder and one count of attempted murder. In that case, the Crown emphasized that there were factors indicating forethought and premeditation. There were multiple victims and the killings were execution style. The victims were ambushed in their residence. The offender brought a loaded gun to the scene. The Crown sought consecutive sentences. Madam Justice Maisonville imposed concurrent periods of 22 years of parole ineligibility for each of the convictions of second degree murder." [3]
R v Edwards, 2015 ONSC 3308 (CanLII), per Donohue J	ON	SC	9 years imprisonment	"Mr. Edwards was convicted of two counts of attempted murder. On the day in question, Mr. Edwards became frustrated and angry because his job prospects were limited and he had run out of cigarettes and alcohol. He had attended a social at the Canadian Mental Health Association but was picked up by his father because he was being disruptive. At the time of the offences, he had been under medical care for his mental health for some time. At approximately 6:40 p.m. that day, Mr. Edwards approached a neighbor, Mr. Singh, suggesting they talk. Mr. Edwards pulled out a knife and tried to stab him. Mr. Singh was able to get away. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Edwards approached another neighbor who was walking home from work. Mr. Edwards stabbed him in the back with a kitchen knife. Considering all principles, the trial judge sentenced Mr. Edwards to 9 years’ imprisonment." [4]
R v NL , 2014 QCCQ 4117 (CanLII), per Chevalier J	QC	PC	12 months with probation	"Accused tried to kill herself and her two kids with medications. ... Accused has no criminal record. ...Accused suffers from a mental illness."
R v Matheson, 2014 NSSC 203 (CanLII), per Scaravelli J	NS	SC	10 years imprisonment	"Accused, unprovoked, assaulted the victim by stabbing him two times in the back and slashing his throat twice with a knife."
R v McArthur, 2013 SKCA 139 (CanLII), per Lane JA	SK	CA	17 years imprisonment	use of a firearm. Declared Long-Term Offender.
R v Marier, 2013 QCCS 3398 (CanLII), per Gagnon J	QC	SC	10 years imprisonment	"Accused tried to stab his ex-wife with a hunting knife after breaking and entering her house."
R v Postma, 2013 ONSC 7218 (CanLII), per Ricchetti J	ON	SC	11 years imprisonment	"Ms. Postma attempted to murder her daughter. At that time, she had separated from her husband and had four daughters. The victim was the youngest. Ms. Postma became distraught after the separation. When Ms. Postma went to visit her daughter (the victim), she slit her throat. The victim ran from her mother as she was being chased. Eventually, the police arrived. There is no explanation as to why Ms. Postma attempted to murder her daughter. There was no evidence of a mental disorder. She was 48 years of age at the time of the offence and had no criminal record. The court imposed an 11-year sentence." [5]
R v MacMillan, 2013 QCCQ 7357 (CanLII), per Bigue J	QC	SC	7 years imprisonment	"Accused tried to kill his spouse with a machete. ...Accused has a criminal record related to alcohol consumption."
R v Hanishewski, 2013 SKPC 89 (CanLII), per Koskie J	SK	PC	9 years imprisonment
R v Adamson, 2013 ONSC 2365 (CanLII), per Gray J	ON	SC	13 years imprisonment	"While the victim was sleeping in her home, Mr. Adamson entered and crept upstairs to her bedroom. He approached her, punched her in the head and when asked why he was doing this, he responded, “I’m sorry”. He rolled her onto her back and put a gloved hand over her mouth. He pulled out a knife and began to slit her throat saying, “I love you”. The victim screamed and Mr. Adamson fled. Mr. Adamson was the victim’s boyfriend and the father of the child she was carrying at the time. Mr. Adamson denied, to a judge and jury, that he was the perpetrator of these offences. He was found guilty. The Court of Appeal found that the sentence of 13 years was justified." [6]
R v Pyke, 2013 NSCA 61 (CanLII), per MacDonald CJ	NS	CA	5 years imprisonment	victim stabbed several times by a gang of offenders.
R v Bulat, 2013 ONSC 4513 (CanLII), per Bondy J	ON	SC	6 months imprisonment	The offender struck the victim with a motor vehicle out of jealousy over a relationship. He was of frail physical health.
R v Carelse, 2013 SKQB 15 (CanLII), per Danyliuk J	SK	SC	16 years imprisonment	attempted to kill wife
R v Vukaj, 2013 BCSC 79 (CanLII), per Griffin J	BC	SC	14 years imprisonment (attempt) B&E (5 years) dangerous op. of MV (10 months) uttering threats(1 year) global (14 years)
R v Blandon, 2012 ONSC 3864 (CanLII), 103 WCB (2d) 101, per Nordheimer J	ON	SC	10 years imprisonment	stabbing; also convicted of 2nd degree murder
R v Martin, 2012 QCCA 2223 (CanLII), JQ no 16362, per Morin J (2:1)	QC	CA	1 day after remand	"Accused, who suffers from mental illness, tried to stab the victim several times with a hunting knife."
R v Smith, 2012 NSCA 37(*no CanLII links)	NS	CA	14 years imprisonment	The offender was 17 1/2 years old at the time but was sentenced as an adult. At the request of an associate,He shot the victim I point-blank range in the chest. The victim survive but became a paraplegic. He had numerous health problems and a shorter life expectancy. The offender had a lengthy criminal record and a negative psychiatric profile.
R v Boissonneault, 2012 MBCA 40 (CanLII), per Monnin JA	MB	CA	14 years imprisonment	The offender shot victim while he was in a cab. He had an animus towards the victim and had been consuming a lot of alcohol and drugs the days before the shooting. Sentence reduced from 17 years.
R v John Brook, 2012 ONSC 184 (CanLII), , , per Sosna J	ON	SC	16 years imprisonment	Offender shot victim over a drug debt. Offender was a drug dealer with an extensive record including violence.
R v Sulek, 2011 ABPC 314 (CanLII), per Lamoureux J	AB	PC	2 years imprisonment
R v Chevers, 2011 ONCA 569 (CanLII), per curiam	ON	CA	15 years imprisonment	The offender shot at the victim twice in public and missed. There was evidence of premeditation. The offender was 24 years old. Sentence of 15 years affirmed.
R v Marriott, 2011 NSSC 414 (CanLII), per Coady J	NS	SC	15 years imprisonment	joint recommendation
R v Leblanc, 2011 NSCA 60 (CanLII), per Fichaud J	NS	CA	16 years imprisonment	The offender was a member of a rival gang, he chased down the victim and fired a handgun a number of times. The victim was struck twice but survived. The offender had a lengthy criminal record.
R v Valentine-Remy, 2011 QCCQ 10060 (CanLII), per Morin J	QC	PC	9 years imprisonment	Offender stabbed victim 5 times perforating heart and liver. Offence was in retaliation and impulsive.
R v Belisle-Taylor, 2011 NSSC 159 (CanLII), 955 APR 146, per Duncan J	NS	SC	10 years imprisonment
R v Botelho, 2010 ONCA 497 (CanLII), per curiam	ON	CA	8.5 years imprisonment	"Mr. Botelho had engaged in a history of violent behaviour toward the complainant. He had two convictions for domestic assault. The last one involved the same complainant. In breach of his terms of bail, and after having consumed alcohol, Mr. Botelho stabbed the complainant numerous times in a vicious attack. But for immediate medical attention, the complainant would have died as a result of the injuries inflicted by Mr. Botelho. He did not accept responsibility for his conduct and maintained that the injuries were caused by accident. As such, the Court of Appeal found that he continued to be a danger to society. The Court held that, “In these circumstances, a sentence of eight and a half years for the offence of attempted murder is the lowest sentence that in our view, could be considered fit.” "[7]
R v Roy, 2010 QCCA 16 (CanLII)	QC	CA	15 years imprisonment	"Accused stabbed his wife with a knife in the presence of their children."
R v KG, 2010 ONCA 177 (CanLII), per curiam	ON	CA	14 years imprisonment	Sentence upheld. Offender attempted to murder ex-wife by driving over her. Offender plead guilty and was remorseful.
R v Situ, 2010 ONCA 683 (CanLII), per curiam	ON	CA	15 years imprisonment	The offender was in a shooting at a pool hall. The victim was rendered quadrapalegic. The offender had a prior record. Sentence affirmed.
R v Truelove, 2010 ONCA 608 (CanLII), per curiam	ON	CA	13 years imprisonment	Shooting at a nightclub.
R v Kipp, 2010 BCSC 584 (CanLII), per Joyce J	BC	SC	11 years imprisonment	offender shot at victim, hitting him 4 times over drug debt. Offender was 23 years old with lengthy record, none for violence.
R v Clarke, 2010 ONSC 656 (CanLII), per Thorburn J	ON	SC	12.5 years imprisonment	The offender shot the victim with a sawed-off shotgun at close range in front of a convenience store. The injuries were life-threatening. The offender had 4 prior convictions.
R v Smith, 2010 ONCA 229 (CanLII), , per Sharpe JA	ON	CA	10 years imprisonment
R v Brown, 2009 ONCA 563 (CanLII), per curiam	ON	CA	Life	The offender shot the victim 6 times in a parking lot at close range. The victim became paraplegic. The area of shooting was frequented by children. The attack was unprovoked. The offender was youthful. He had no record and had a young child.
R v Thompson, 2009 ONCA 243 (CanLII), per Goudge JA	ON	CA	12 years imprisonment	A planned shooting of the victim in a public place.The offender had a lengthy record which included violence.
R v Guedez-Infante, 2009 ONCA 739 (CanLII), per curiam	ON	CA	10 years imprisonment	The offender shot the victim in public. The injuries were serious. The offender was youthful and had no prior record.
R v Tan, 2008 ONCA 574 (CanLII), per Laskin JA	ON	CA	15 years imprisonment	"Mr. Tan pleaded guilty to attempted murder, forcible confinement, robbery and sexual assault. He was given a 15-year sentence. He appealed. At the time of the offences, Mr. Tan was 34 years of age and unemployed. The victim was a university student. They knew each other through a mutual friend. After moving the victim from her apartment and while in the car, Mr. Tan suggested that the victim break up with her boyfriend. When she declined to do so, Mr. Tan became enraged. Eventually, he bound and gagged her. He made her lie down in the car and brandished a knife. He collected a tarp and some clothing. He drove three hours to a friend’s cottage in Bancroft, Ontario where he sexually assaulted her. He put her in a chokehold and told her that he was going to kill her. He slit her throat and stabbed her, causing a collapsed lung. He asked the victim about her bank accounts and obtained her PIN number. He took her identification documents, including her passport. He covered her with the tarp and she lost consciousness. He dragged her 40 feet into the bush, covered her with dirt, leaves and the tarp. He left her to die but she did not. Eventually, the victim struggled to the main road where she was assisted. Her injuries, both physical and psychological, were devastating and permanent. The sentence of 15 years was upheld by the Court of Appeal." The Court of Appeal "held that a 15-year sentence for a first offender who entered a guilty plea and expresses remorse was high. However, it held that the sentence was justified for a number of reasons, including: the domestic context of the offence, the specific intent to kill, the elements of planning and deliberation, the length of the attack, the concealing of the body and identity of the victim, the fact that the victim was left to die and the serious physical and psychological injuries on the victim." [8]
R v Ljeskovica, 2008 CanLII 63569 (ON SC), [2008] OJ No 4935 (SCJ), per Trotter J	ON	SC	8 years imprisonment	The offender struck the victim's girlfriend, causing a short fight between the men. The offender left shortly after stating "I’m coming back and kill you." The offender returned to the victim's residence that evening. Almost immediately upon entering the offender stabbed the victim with a knife. There was a scuffle and the offender fled. The victim suffered "two stab wounds to his chest, two stab wounds to his back and another to his leg." The offender pled guilty. He was 29 years old and had immigrated from Macedonia at age 15. He had no prior record and was remorseful. He had a problem with alcohol and used drugs. On the night of the incident, the offender had been drinking "a lot".
R v Thiara, 2008 BCSC 1414 (CanLII), per BJ Brown J	BC	SC	10 years imprisonment	offender shot victim twice over a drug debt.
R v McDonald, [2007] OJ No 3859 (SCJ)(*no CanLII links)	ON	SC	11 years imprisonment	Offender attempted to kill common law partner and daughter using a hammer. The offender had no record, history of employment, and community church work. The offence was out of character. He plead guilty, was remorseful.
R v Lysak, 2006 ABCA 327 (CanLII), per Costigan JA	AB	CA	17 years imprisonment	Offender attempted to shoot family member in head.
R v Phillips, 2006 NBQB 378 (CanLII), 797 APR 111, per Rideout J	NB	SC	6 years imprisonment	"During an exchange of drugs for money, the complainant was hit a few times at the head and in the back with a baseball bat and he was stabbed....Accused has a lengthy criminal record."
R v Payne, 2006 CanLII 11912 (ON SC), , , per Kiteley J	ON	SC	7 years imprisonment	Domestic offence.
R v McArthur, 2004 CanLII 8759 (ON CA), 182 CCC (3d) 230, per Doherty JA	ON	CA	life	The victim was a peace officer.
R v Champagne, 2002 CanLII 22947 (ON CA), , , per curiam	ON	CA	12 years imprisonment	_
R v Ahmed-Saidi, 2001 CanLII 24100 (ON CA), , per curiam	ON	CA	8.5 years imprisonment
R v Edwards, 2001 CanLII 24105 (ON CA, per Rosenberg JA	ON	CA	8 years imprisonment	The offender attempted to murder his common-law spouse. Joint recommendation. He turned himself in and expressed remorse. The sentence of 8 years was considered "extremely lenient".
R v Joseph, 2000 BCSC 1891 (CanLII), , per Taylor J	BC	SC	10 years imprisonment	shooting between drug dealers
R v Dicker, 2013 CanLII 13200 (NL PC), {{{4}}}, per Joy J	NL	PC	6 months imprisonment	"Accused, an aboriginal, stabbed the victim in the chest with a pocket knife or similar weapon. ...Victim provoked the assault by shouting insults to the accused."

1980 to 1999

Case Name	Prv.	Crt.	Sentence	Summary
R v Denkers, 1994 CanLII 2660 (ON CA), , , per curiam	ON	CA	15 years imprisonment (attempt)	Sentence upheld. Offender stabbed ex-girlfriend several times and sexually assaulted her. Intended to kill.
R v Boutin, 1993 CanLII 3929 (QC CA), {{{4}}}	QC	CA	5 years imprisonment	"Accused stabbed his wife with a knife in the presence of their daughter. ...Since the tragedy the accused behaved and improved his attitude."
R v Gould, 1990 CanLII 2432 (NS CA), [1990] NSJ No 109, per Matthews JA	NS	CA	8 years imprisonment	victim stabbed multiple times
R v Cope, 1987 CanLII 4729 (SK CA), per Cameron JA	SK	CA	2 years less a day CSO

Murder for Hire

Case Name	Prv.	Crt.	Sentence	Summary
R v Tokhi, 2014 ONSC 3142 (CanLII), per Molloy J	ON	SC	4.5 years imprisonment	Wife hired hitman to kill husband.
R v Cheema, 2003 BCSC 2071 (CanLII), per Baker J	BC	SC	6 years imprisonment	Ex-wife attempting over several months to murder husband over custody of children. Offender was relatively young with no criminal record and plead guilty.
R v Cozzi, [2001] OJ No 1967 (O.C.J.)(*no CanLII links)	ON	PC	3 years imprisonment	wife in dispute with husband over children. The offender had a long history of depression and suicide attempts. The victim was a member of an outlaw biker gang.
R v Dos Santos, [1998] OJ No 6290 (O.C.J.Gen.Div.)(*no CanLII links)	ON		5.5 years imprisonment	wife in dispute with her husband over child custody and hired someone to kill him. Offender had no record, expressed remorse.
R v Wickham, 1995 CanLII 1879 (BC CA), [1995] BCJ No 2209 (BCCA), per Donald JA	BC	CA	7 years imprisonment	Wife wanted to murder husband to be with new boyfriend and get life insurance.

See Also

• Homicide (Sentencing Cases)