Homicide (Sentencing Cases)

This page was last substantively updated or reviewed January 2021. (Rev. # 88833)

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Murder

First Degree

Case Name	Pv	Ct	Parole Inelig.	Comments
R v Greenwood, 2012 NSSC 194 (CanLII), per Kennedy CJ	NS	SC	life with 25 years
R v Morningstar, 2017 NBQB 7 (CanLII), per Walsh J	NB	SC	3 years imprisonment (arson) life with 25 years	The offender was also convicted of arson.

Multiple Murders

Case Name	Pv	Ct	Parole Inelig.	Comments
R v Saratzky, 2017 ABQB 496 (CanLII), per Tilleman J	AB	SC	life with 75 years	Three victims.
R v McArthur, 2019 ONSC 963 (CanLII), per McMahon J	ON	SC	life with 25 years
R v Garland, 2017 ABQB 198	AB	SC
R v Ostamas, 2016 MBQB 136 (CanLII), 329 Man. R. (2d) 203, per Toews J	MB	SC	life with 75 years	"an accused who, over a two week period, killed three homeless people for no apparent reason. The first two victims died of blunt force trauma, and the last victim died of blunt force trauma and ligature strangulation. There was evidence that the accused had mental health problems. He was charged with three counts of second degree murder. There was a joint submission that the accused should not only receive the maximum period of parole ineligibility of 25 years on each count, but also that the three counts should run consecutive, hence equaling 75 years. The accused was 40 years of age when he committed these offences."
R v Vuozzo, 2015 PESC 14 (CanLII), per G Cambpell J	PEI	SC	life with 35 years	"...an individual who was 46 years of age. He pleaded guilty to one count of first degree murder and one count of second degree murder. In 2014, the accused drove to the apartment of relatives of a deceased impaired driver who had killed the accused’s sister back in 1970. The accused went to the apartment for the specific purpose of killing one of those relatives. When he encountered a second male in the apartment, he also intentionally shot and killed the second man. The accused pleaded guilty to one count of first degree murder and one count of second degree murder. The Crown suggested that the court should impose 25 year periods of parole ineligibility, to be served consecutively for a global period of 50 years. This would make the accused 96 years of age when he could apply for parole."
R v Clorina, 2015 ABQB 252 (CanLII), per Eidsvik J	AB	SC	life with 35 years	When the accused "was 22 years of age, he started having repeated sexual intercourse and oral sex with a young child right through until she became pregnant with his child at age 15. The accused then decided that he would kill the 15 year olds mother. He planned in a deliberate fashion to go over to the residence one morning after obtaining a key from the child he sexually abused. He hunted down the mother and repeatedly stabbed her in the presence of one of her other children, who was only five years of age. He then hunted down the five year old and killed him as well. The accused then staged the entire scene to make it look like there had been a struggle with others. He then took the victim’s car. He came up with an elaborate plan to set up a third person as the potential killer." He "pleaded guilty to the first degree murder of the mother, the included offence of second degree murder of the five year old child and the third count of sexual touching in relation to the child victim. There was a joint submission put before the court of making the parole ineligibility on the count of second degree murder ten years, and having the periods run consecutively. Hence, the joint submission, which was accepted, resulted in a period of 35 years of parole ineligibility, which would allow the accused to apply for parole at 61 years of age."
R v Bourque, 2014 NBQB 237 (CanLII), 15 CR (7th) 52, per D.D. Smith J	NB	SC	life and 75 years	"the accused pleaded guilty to three counts of first degree murder and two counts of attempted murder using a firearm. In June of 2014, the 24 year old accused planned on killing RCMP police officers. He armed himself with two firearms and a supply of ammunition. The court found that there was strong pre-meditation. The three killings and two attempted killings took place in a little over 20 minutes. The Crown sought three consecutive 25 year periods of parole ineligibility. The defence also submitted that there should be two consecutive periods of parole ineligibility totaling 50 years. The Court found that general deterrence and denunciation must be paramount to deter others from seeking to kill law officers in the execution of their duty. The accused received 75 year parole ineligibility. He could apply at 99 years of age."
R v Baumgartner, 2013 ABQB 761 (CanLII), 578 AR 87, per Rooke ACJ	AB	SC		"the accused had been employed with an armoured car company. He planned a robbery to steal over $400,000, and part of his plan would be the deliberate execution of some of his fellow armed security guards. The accused was initially charged with three counts of first degree murder and one count of attempted murder. With the consent of the Crown, the accused pleaded guilty to the one count of first degree murder and two counts of second degree murder and lastly, a count of attempted murder. The accused, taking advantage of the trust of his fellow security guards, took his pistol and shot two of them in the back of the head. A third was also shot. He then proceeded to approach the driver and shoot him dead as well. There was a joint submission by experienced counsel that a total period of parole ineligibility of 40 years would be appropriate. The court accepted the joint submission."

Second Degree

Second Degree - Generally

Case Name	Pv	Ct	Parole Inelig.	Comments
R v Mbaye, 2020 ABQB 698 (CanLII)	AB	SC	14 years imprisonment
R v Chen, 2019 ONSC 3952 (CanLII), per Campbell J	ON	SC	10 years imprisonment
R v Hannan, 2018 NSSC 335 (CanLII), per Wright J	NS	SC	15 years imprisonment	The victim was stabbed 9 times with a knife and left to die.
R v Nicholas, 2018 ONSC 678 (CanLII), per George J	ON	SC	13 years imprisonment	Summary of case is pending.
R v Pernosky, 2018 BCSC 1252 (CanLII), per Armstrong J	BC	SC	13 years imprisonment	"The offender pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of his half-sister. Death was caused by asphyxiation, followed by a series of sexual acts on the deceased. The offender was 27 at the time of the offence with no adult criminal record. He did not claim to be more than mildly intoxicated at the time. He offered no explanation for his actions."
R v Burwell, 2017 SKQB 375 (CanLII), per Danyliuk J	SK	SC	16 years imprisonment	Summary of case is pending.
R v Baldwin, 2017 ONSC 5040 (CanLII), per Lafrance-Cardinal J	ON	SC	12 years imprisonment	Summary of case is pending.
R v Bernard, 2017 NSSC 129 (CanLII), per Gogan J	NS	SC	14 years imprisonment	Summary of case is pending.
R v Gabriel, 2017 NSSC 90 (CanLII), per Campbell J	NS	SC	13 years imprisonment	The offender was black and mi'kmaq. A cultural impact assessment gave some background to the offender.
R v Whitlock, 2017 BCSC 1998 (CanLII), per DeWitt-Van Oosten J	BC	SC		{{{5}}}
R v Mohamed, 2017 MBQB 64 (CanLII), per Chartier J	MB	SC	13 years imprisonment	Summary of case is pending.
R v Tucker, 2017 NBQB 17 (CanLII), per Grant J	NB	SC	14 years imprisonment	The offender was convicted of second degree murder of his mother.
R v Roy, 2016 NBQB 7 (CanLII), per DeWare J	NB	SC	16 years imprisonment	The offender stabbed his mother to death and then set the house on fire. He was 25 years old, and had a diagnosis of axiety and drug abuse. He had a long history of mental illness and drug addiction. He had a prior record for violence.
R v Ostamas, 2016 MBQB 136 (CanLII), per Toews J	MB	SC	75 years imprisonment	The offender was convicted of three counts of second degree murder. He strangled two persons to death and beat another to death with a piece of lumber. All victims were homeless persons. Crown and defence had a joint agreement on s. 745.51 applying to order three consecutive sentences of 25 years each.
R v Ryan, 2015 ABCA 286 (CanLII), per Picard JA (2:1)	AB	CA	17 years imprisonment	The offender was as drug dealer and shot one of his sellers when the victim stole some of his drugs and vehicle. He hid the body is the woods. He was 29 years old.
R v Scott , 2014 NBQB 146 (CanLII), per Morrison J	NB	SC	15 years imprisonment	The offender was plead guilty to killing an 82 year old woman. The victim helped him by driving him to her home where the offender hit her in the head with a hammer 19 times. He tried to make the murder scene look liek a sexual assault. He was 19 years old with a history of mental illness.
R v Borbely, 2013 ONSC 3355 (CanLII), per Glass J	ON	SC	17 years imprisonment	Summary of case is pending.
R v Chareka , 2013 NSSC 320 (CanLII), per Scaravelli J	NS	SC	13 years imprisonment	stabbing. No prior criminal record
R v Neville, 2013 CanLII 13601 (NLSCTD), per Thompson J	NL	Sc	12 years imprisonment	stabbing
R v Jiminez-Acosta, 2013 ONSC 5524 (CanLII), per AJ Goodman J	ON	SC	13 years imprisonment	The offender was convicted of murder. He got into an argument with the victim when she told him she was leaving him. He beat and stabbed her. The offender tried to cover up evidence and mislead the investigators. He had no prior criminal record.
R v Hardy, 2012 NSSC 209 (CanLII), per Wright J	NS	SC	14 years imprisonment	offender had a prior record involving violence. He was mentally ill. He confessed and was remorseful.
R v Swite, 2012 BCSC 1755 (CanLII), per Josephson J	BC	SC	13 years imprisonment	"Swite was 20 years old at the time of the offence. He had no criminal record. He had little if any meaningful school or work history. He had strong Gladue factors, including many forms of deprivation and alcohol abuse from an early age. The court found [he] was significantly intoxicated at the time of the offence. ... Swite’s victim was an 85-year old aboriginal woman who was a stranger to him. He killed her by suffocating her with a pillow. He then had sex with her dead body. "
R v Ward, 2011 NSCA 78 (CanLII), per Saunders J	NS	CA	13 years imprisonment	Summary of case is pending.
R v Belcourt, 2012 BCSC 1844 (CanLII), per Macaulay J	BC	SC	17 years imprisonment	Summary of case is pending.
R v Dahr, 2012 ONCA 433 (CanLII), per Gillese JA	ON	CA	15 years imprisonment	Summary of case is pending.
R v Blandon , 2012 ONSC 3864 (CanLII), per Nordheimer J	ON	SC	12 years imprisonment	Summary of case is pending.
R v Hardy, 2012 NSSC 209 (CanLII), per Wright J	NS	SC	14 years imprisonment	Summary of case is pending.
R v Jojic, 2012 BCCA 101 (CanLII), per Ryan JA	BC	CA	13 years	Summary of case is pending.
R v Hall, 2011 ONSC 7281 (CanLII), per Archibald J	ON	SC	14 years imprisonment	Summary of case is pending.
R v Boudreau, 2009 NSSC 30 (CanLII), per Stewart J	NS	SC	20 years imprisonment	Offender killed her 12 year old child as she was an obstacle to her relationship. Evidence suggesting planning and deliberation. Sentence meant to show this was close to a first degree murder. Joint recommended sentence.
R v Kayaitok, 2009 NUCJ 24 (CanLII), per Kilpatrick J	NU	PC	18 years imprisonment	"The victim was aged five; she died by asphyxiation, then was anally raped by the offender. There was no evidence that alcohol or other intoxicant played a part in the offence. Owing to a prior serious sexual assault allegation, the offender was on an undertaking to have no contact with children. He had no adult criminal record. He was 19 years old at the time of the offence, came from a disadvantaged background, and had limited education."
R v Worm, 2009 SKQB 122 (CanLII), [2009] S.J. No 197, per Dawson J	SK	SC	16 years imprisonment	offender and friends broke into victim's residence to rob them. Offender shot victim in front of family members including 14 year old. Offender was 23 year old aboriginal with an extensive record.
R v Wilson, 2007 BCSC 1382 (CanLII), per Chamberlist J	BC	SC	13 years imprisonment	The offender plead guilty and had no prior record. He "was aboriginal but the sentencing judge, at para 16, concluded that Gladue did not apply, given the violent and serious offence before the court. ...the sentencing judge found the most aggravating aspect of the murder to be the offender’s vaginal and anal sex with the deceased victim. Though not complete strangers, the case report does not describe any particular relationship either. It appears death was caused by asphyxiation. Mitigating was the lack of a record, the offender’s youthfulness, and his good prospects for rehabilitation."
R v Danvers, 2005 CanLII 30044 (ON CA), [2005] OJ No 3532 (ONCA), per Armstrong JA	ON	CA	15 years imprisonment	offender was convicted of second degree murder for shooting a student in a nightclub. Offender was 19 years old with a lengthy criminal record.
R v Thackeray, , [2004] OJ No 5866(*no CanLII links)	ON		11 years imprisonment	The offender plead guilty to second degree for stabbing a taxi driver 13 times in the head and neck.
R v Cook, 2003 BCCA 326 (CanLII), [2003] BCJ No 1246, per Esson JA	BC	CA	15 years imprisonment	convicted of second-degree murder. Offender shot and killed taxi driver during robbery. Offender was 21 years old and no record.
R v Dewald, 2001 CanLII 4721 (ON CA), [2001] O.J. No. 1716 (2:1), per Laskin JA	ON	CA
R v McInnis, 1999 CanLII 2671 (ON CA), , 1999 CarswellOnt 1054, 119 OAC 316 (CA), per Rosenberg JA	ON	CA	20 years imprisonment	"53-year old offender had a lengthy related record and was on mandatory supervision at the time of the offence; the jury recommended a 20-year period of parole ineligibility; the sentencing judge concluded the offender was a psychopath with no hope for rehabilitation."
R v Ramsay, 1991 CanLII 11808 (MB CA), per Huband JA	MB	CA	14 years imprisonment	The offender "was found to have sexually desecrated his deceased victim, went on to say he had done society a favour by committing his crime. The court found that his unrepentant attitude marked him as dangerous. "
R v Smith, (1986), 72 NSR (2d) 359 (AD)(*no CanLII links)	NS	CA	20 years imprisonment	lengthy criminal record

Second Degree - Domestic

Case Name	Pv	Ct	Parole Inelig.	Comments
R v Johnson, 2016 NSSC 297 (CanLII), per Duncan J	NS	SC	20 years and 17 years	Johnson murdered his ex-partner by beating her with a tire iron. The victim survived the initial beating. MacDonald obtained a knife for Johnston to cut her throat. Both offenders pleaded guilty to second degree murder.
R v Rushton, 2016 NSSC 313 (CanLII), per Wood J	NS	SC	18 years imprisonment	The offender murdered his common law partner and her adult daughter from another relationship. [per Wood J]
R v Toews, 2015 ABCA 167 (CanLII), per Costigan JA	AB	CA	10 years imprisonment
R v Irving, 2015 NBQB 70 (CanLII), per Grant J	NB	SC	12 years imprisonment	The offender strangled his wife to death while one of their children was upstairs. It was motivated by jealousy. He hid her body but eventually reported it to the police.
R v Hutchinson, 2014 NSSC 155 (CanLII), per Cacchione J	NS	SC	21 years imprisonment	Offender stabbed domestic partner to death. Lengthy prior record and was on a conditional sentence order at the time. Plead guilty. There were two young children of the relationship. He stated he had little remorse. Judge found he was in a position of trust.
R v Hales, 2014 NSSC 408 (CanLII), per Duncan J	NS	SC	17 years imprisonment	The offender pleaded guilty to second degree murder. He stabbed in wife to death. The sentence was jointly recommended.
R v Borbely, 2013 ONSC 3355 (CanLII), [2013] OJ No 2593, per Glass J	ON	SC	17 years	Offender found guilty of second degree murder of common law wife by beating her. Offender had no record, good employment, and positive involvement with children. The case was circumstantial where the victim disappeared and then was found dismembered in crates which was discovered years later.
R v Purdy, 2012 BCCA 272 (CanLII), [2012] BCJ No 1245, per MacKenzie JA	BC	CA	19 years imprisonment	Offender convicted for second degree murder of ex-wife by stabbing her 21 times in an ambush. There were several incidents of violence betwee the offender and the wife's new partner. He believed victim was atttempting to get between him and his children. The killing was done with "forethought". No record and of good character.
R v Panghali, 2011 BCSC 421 (CanLII), per Holmes J	BC	SC	15 years imprisonment	The offender strangled his pregnant wife to death and then burned her body on a beach. He made comments to police suggesting that her family may have been responsible.
R v Getson, 2011 NBQB 51 (CanLII), per McLellan J	NB	SC	20 years imprisonment	Offender plead guilty to second degree murder of wife. Offender attacked wife in front of a tanning salon in front of witnesses. Some evidence of planning were present. Offender confessed to his sister of stabbing the victim 14 or 15 times. Autopsy showed 28 stab wounds to the body. Joint recommendation.
R v Hindessa, [2009] OJ No 6412(*no CanLII links)	ON	.	18 years imprisonment	Offender convicted of second degree murder of his girlfriend by stabbing her 10 times while she was lying on a bed. Offender had diagnosis of PTSD and was known for violence, jealousy, and alcohol abuse. There were prior allegations of violence between victim and offender. There was evidence of stabs occurring after death.
R v White, 2009 NLTD 99 (CanLII), per Adams J	NL	SC	17 years imprisonment	Offender plead guilty to second degree murder of common law partner by strangling her to death after an argument about fidelity. Offender dismembered the body in his bathtub and discarded the parts. Victim left two children.
R v Legge, 2005 NLTD 156 (CanLII), per LeBlanc J	NL	SC	18 years imprisonment	Offender plead guilty to second degree murder of ex-common law partner. Relationship broke up after offender assaulted victim and was convicted for it. They got back together briefly before murder. Offender accused victim of infidelity, she broke up with him. Offender broke into victim's home and beat her to death with a metal rod. He gave a inculpatory statement, stating he was not remorseful.
R v Johnson (WD), 2004 NSCA 91 (CanLII), 225 NSR (2d) 22 (CA), per Oland JA	NS	CA	21 years imprisonment	Offender murdered his girlfriend and her child. He was 25 years old and had prior record including violence against the victim.
R v Johnson, 2001 NSSC 119 (CanLII), per Wright J	NS	SC	21 years imprisonment	The offender murdered his romantic partner and her child.
R v KWM, 2003 BCCA 688 (CanLII), per Hall JA	BC	CA	20 years imprisonment	The offender murdered his wife and mother-in-law.
R v Franz, 2000 BCSC 508 (CanLII), per Edwards J	BC	SC	17 years imprisonment	Offender convicted of second degree murder of spouse during separation. Offender strangled spouse to death and dismembered the victim's body and the parts were hidden. Offender had no record of violence. Some evidence of planning and deliberation, but not beyond reasonable doubt. Judge said offence was "not spur of the moment" killing.
R v McKnight, 1999 CanLII 3717 (ON CA), [1999] OJ No 1321, per Laskin JA (2:1)	ON	CA	17 years imprisonment	Offender was a doctor and lawyer who stabbed wife. Attack was over 10 to 15 minutes. Suffered from depression at time of offence.
R v Assoun, 1999 CanLII 2819 (NS SC, per Hood J	NS	SC	18.5 years	The offender was convicted at trial of murdering his ex-partner. He "stabbed and/or slit her throat and killed her with one of these throat wounds which pierced a vein". The offender and victim were in an on/off relationship and had only just broken up at the time of her murder. The sentence was jointly recommended.
R v Wristen, 1999 CanLII 3824 (ON CA, per Laskin and Rosenberg JJA	ON	CA	17 years imprisonment	Convicted on circumstantial case. Victim went missing and body never found. Victim's blood splatter found in house.
R v Beamish, 1996 CanLII 3735 (PE SCTD), per Jenkins J		SC	18 years imprisonment	charged with first degree, convicted of second degree of murder of common law partner. Offender tied up victim with rope, beat her to death and then concealed her remains. Circumstances of murder were "horrific" and "brutal". It was not a "spur of the moment" offence. Offender had prior record. Appeal dismissed.
R v Francis, 1994 CanLII 4164 (NSCA), 127 NSR (2d) (NSCA), per Jones JA	NS	CA	20 years imprisonment
R v Young (L.A.), 1993 CanLII 3272 (NSCA), per Freeman JA	NS	CA	14 years imprisonment	The offender stabbed his wife over 14 times. The judge described it as "senseless" and "brutal".
R v Doyle, [1991] NSJ No 447, 108 NSR (2d) 1 (NSCA)(*no CanLII links)	NS	CA	17 years	The offender shot wife while she laid on a bed sleeping. He was suffering from alcoholism and was upset over suspicions of infidelity. The two had three children of the relationship, one of whom died years before. Victim was 32 and the offender was 33 at the time.
R v Baillie, 1991 CanLII 2477 (NSCA), , 107 NSR (2d) 256 (CA), per Matthews JA	NS	CA	17 years imprisonment	The offender strangled his wife with a rope and left her to die, locked in the basement.

Conspiracy to Commit

Case Name	Prv.	Crt.	Sentence	Summary
R v Belcourt, 2012 BCSC 527 (CanLII), per Laidlaw J	BC	SC	6 years imprisonment
R v Gregson, 2017 ONCA 88 (CanLII), per curiam	ON	CA	12 years imprisonment	The offender hired two hitmen to kill his wife.

Filicide (Murder of Child by Parent)

Case Name	Prv.	Crt.	Sentence	Summary
R v Heller, 2014 ABCA 182 (CanLII), per curiam	AB	CA	18 years imprisonment	Father kills 2 year old child by blunt force trauma.
R v SJB, 2013 ABCA 153 (CanLII), per Berger JA (2:1)	AB	CA	13 years imprisonment	Mother kills one infant child and tried to kill a second

Young Offenders

Case Name	Prv.	Crt.	Sentence	Summary
R v FO, 2016 ONSC 7654 (CanLII), per Nordheimer J	ON	SC	life (7 years parole)

Manslaughter

• Manslaughter (Sentencing Cases)

Interference With Remains

Case Name	Prv.	Crt.	Sentence	Summary
R v Deren, 2017 ABCA 23 (CanLII), per Rowbotham JA	AB	CA	2 years imprisonment

Other Countries

• R v Wright and Hennessy

See Also

• Attempted Murder (Sentencing Cases)