GUILTY Canada - Renee Sweeney, 23, murdered, Sudbury, Ont, 27 Jan 1998 *arrest in 2018*

[Gina20]

Jury finds Robert Steven Wright guilty of Renee Sweeney's murder (updated)

On Jan. 27, 1998, Renee Sweeney, an employee working alone at the Adults Only Video store in the strip mall at 1500 Paris St. was brutally murdered, stabbed 27 time…

thesudburystar.com

Abrupt shouts followed by tears came from the corner of the courtroom Wednesday where sister Kim Sweeney, accompanied by close friends and family members, were seated late Wednesday afternoon as the jury delivered its verdict following about 14 hours of deliberation.

In sharp contrast, Wright, now 43, did not show any emotion. Neither did many of his family members and supporters seated behind him.

A sentencing hearing date for Wright will be set in Superior assignment court April 4.

More differences in articles:

In sharp contrast, Wright, now 43, did not show any emotion.

V.

He was as still and stoic as he had been through much of the trial. But after the verdict was read, as the public waited for the sentencing suggestions from the jury, Wright began to take deep breaths, his shoulders rising with each inhale.

Two reporters, two different lenses.

 

[Cedars]

I believe the accused enters the courtroom before the jury and judge, so I'm not sure he could do anything about it. I've never heard about this kind of behavior in a courtroom before.

Apparently some of the Murdaugh family behaved similarly. Not so surprising in that context. Canadians used to be more polite and respectful,

I think it's also very inappropriate to shout in a courtroom.

It's not a hockey game.

JMO

 

[Gina20]

Apparently some of the Murdaugh family behaved similarly. Not so surprising in that context. Canadians used to be more polite and respectful,

I think it's also very inappropriate to shout in a courtroom.

It's not a hockey game.

JMO

It could also be seen as inappropriate to rise for the defendant, when that is supposed to be reserved as a sign of respect for the jury and judge.

Two different reporters gave two different accounts of "shouting" v. what might be considered gasps or exclamations. Who knows? Language can be loaded with meaning.

I'm pretty sure that a lot of what goes on in hockey rinks isn't respectful or appropriate for a civilized society. That is "Canadian hockey culture" best left at the arena, or arguably nowhere. It doesn't sound like a hockey rink rumble took place in the courtroom, but I wasn't there.

Anyone can go to a courtroom. Manners and respectful behavior are supposed to be in place in that particular arena. It does no one any favors to forget that. There are guidelines for people attending court. It's always wise to review the list and remember that inappropriate behavior can lead to removal from the courtroom by staff. Disrupting legal proceedings or pushing the boundaries of acceptable behavior is a serious matter.

Court Etiquette and Procedures | Superior Court of Justice

www.ontariocourts.ca

 

[JuneBug67]

Legal expert weighs in on Sudbury murder trial verdict, next steps

As the dust continues to settle around Wednesday's verdict in the Renee Sweeney murder trial attention is now turning to what's next for the case. CTV News spoke to a legal expert and here is what he had to say.

northernontario.ctvnews.ca

"Ari Goldkind is a criminal defence lawyer and legal expert unrelated to the case."

"We can learn about what the jury thought of Mr. Wright by the recommendations for parole ineligibility," Goldkind said.

"The judge turns to them and says 'how long until he can apply for parole?' They were all pretty harsh and most of them were over 20 years. Now, the judge does what the judge wants. The quickness of the verdict is something that stood out to me."

 

[Gina20]

Legal expert weighs in on Sudbury murder trial verdict, next steps

As the dust continues to settle around Wednesday's verdict in the Renee Sweeney murder trial attention is now turning to what's next for the case. CTV News spoke to a legal expert and here is what he had to say.

northernontario.ctvnews.ca

"Ari Goldkind is a criminal defence lawyer and legal expert unrelated to the case."

"We can learn about what the jury thought of Mr. Wright by the recommendations for parole ineligibility," Goldkind said.

"The judge turns to them and says 'how long until he can apply for parole?' They were all pretty harsh and most of them were over 20 years. Now, the judge does what the judge wants. The quickness of the verdict is something that stood out to me."

Thank you. The scheduling date for sentencing is April 4, not sentencing.

A scheduling date for sentencing and victim impact statements is set for April 4.

 

[Alison]

Apparently some of the Murdaugh family behaved similarly. Not so surprising in that context. Canadians used to be more polite and respectful,

I think it's also very inappropriate to shout in a courtroom.

It's not a hockey game.

JMO

Why is emotion inappropriate? They are entitled to every feeling they have in that moment, not be shamed for it. Canadians have never been polite or respectful look at our history of genocide, this is just a story we tell the rest of the world.

 

[musicaljoke]

Why is emotion inappropriate? They are entitled to every feeling they have in that moment, not be shamed for it. Canadians have never been polite or respectful look at our history of genocide, this is just a story we tell the rest of the world.

Because a courtroom searches for the truth and metes out justice. It is not a ball game where there are teams of winners and losers. Shouting in the courtroom impedes the ability of the court to perform its function, shows disrespect to the court, and is a behaviour that defies the court authority.

If you want to shout, go outside.

 

[Cedars]

Why is emotion inappropriate? They are entitled to every feeling they have in that moment, not be shamed for it. Canadians have never been polite or respectful look at our history of genocide, this is just a story we tell the rest of the world.

I did not say emotion was inappropriate. Of course, everyone in a courtroom is going to feel intense emotions throughout any trial: the jury, the witnesses who have to testify, the accused, the victims family, lawyers for the accused and prosecutors, family of the accused, even the audience.

There is a big difference between feeling emotion and expressing it.

Should all those individuals be acting out their emotions throughout the trial: bursting into tears, shaking fists of rage, spitting in contempt or showing the finger? How could the legal system function?

Children throw tantrums, or jump for joy, etc, and that's fine. But IMO there is a dignity associated with being an adult in a serious context like a trial (and First Nations leaders definitely carry themselves with dignity).

JMO

 

[Alison]

Because a courtroom searches for the truth and metes out justice. It is not a ball game where there are teams of winners and losers. Shouting in the courtroom impedes the ability of the court to perform its function, shows disrespect to the court, and is a behaviour that defies the court authority.

If you want to shout, go outside.

They expressed relief when the verdict came back. There was no impeding any process. Often when something very emotional happens people have a hard time containing it. I think people get so caught up in sleuthing and the politics of the carceral system they forget that there are real humans with real feelings that are impacted.

 

[Cedars]

dbm

 

[dotr]

Apr 02, 2023

What happened in Greater Sudbury last week: Justice for Renee Sweeney

Jury finds Robert Steven Wright guilty of Renee Sweeney’s murder:

www.nugget.ca

''Jury finds Robert Steven Wright guilty of Renee Sweeney’s murder: On Jan. 27, 1998, Renee Sweeney, an employee working alone at the Adults Only Video store in the strip mall at 1500 Paris St. was brutally murdered, stabbed 27 times.''

''The second-degree murder conviction carries with it an automatic life sentence. The only issue left to be decided being parole ineligibility.''
''With a range of 10-25 years to choose from, jury members returned following a short deliberation and the results were eye-opening: two jurors recommended parole ineligibility for Wright should be 20 years; one recommended 22 years; two recommended 23 years; and seven recommended 25 years.
A sentencing hearing date for Wright will be set in Superior assignment court April 4.''

Sweeney Murder File

Extensive news coverage on the murder of Renee Sweeney of Sudbury in 1998 and the court battle of the man accused of killing her.

northernontario.ctvnews.ca

''The brutal stabbing death of 23-year-old Renee Sweeney rocked the City of Sudbury to its core on Jan. 27, 1998.

Police searched for her killer for two decades and finally charged Robert Steven Wright, who was 18 years old at the time of the murder, in Dec. 2018.

After several delays, the trial began Feb. 21, 2023, just after the 25th anniversary of Sweeney's death. The jury delivered a guilty verdict after five weeks of testimony.

CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca has compiled all of the case coverage below, including archival news footage, the arrest, trial, verdict and now that the publication ban is lifted, we can reveal some exclusive extras.''

 

[JuneBug67]

The archival footage is interesting. Includes footage of the canine track, and in the one titled 'Alana Everson on Renee Sweeney Murder 2000' there is a clear image of the soiled glove that @musicaljoke was looking for previously, and a brief psychological profile of the suspect. The 'loner' prediction may fit as somebody who knew him in school described him as quiet and somebody who 'kept to himself'.

Northern Ontario: Latest Video News, Interviews & Analysis

Watch the latest local news shaping North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, and Northwestern Ontario.

northernontario.ctvnews.ca

 

[musicaljoke]

The archival footage is interesting. Includes footage of the canine track, and in the one titled 'Alana Everson on Renee Sweeney Murder 2000' there is a clear image of the soiled glove that @musicaljoke was looking for previously, and a brief psychological profile of the suspect. The 'loner' prediction may fit as somebody who knew him in school described him as quiet and somebody who 'kept to himself'.

Northern Ontario: Latest Video News, Interviews & Analysis

Watch the latest local news shaping North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, and Northwestern Ontario.

northernontario.ctvnews.ca

Excellent find, @JuneBug67

 

[Gina20]

The archival footage is interesting. Includes footage of the canine track, and in the one titled 'Alana Everson on Renee Sweeney Murder 2000' there is a clear image of the soiled glove that @musicaljoke was looking for previously, and a brief psychological profile of the suspect. The 'loner' prediction may fit as somebody who knew him in school described him as quiet and somebody who 'kept to himself'.

Northern Ontario: Latest Video News, Interviews & Analysis

Watch the latest local news shaping North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, and Northwestern Ontario.

northernontario.ctvnews.ca

That video also called him an underachiever.

Evidence: Sweeney killer’s teal nylon jacket​

This one intrigued me. The police clearly stated that the person responsible was wearing the jacket at the time of the crime. They indicated that the person might have taken the bus, and that people who lived in the same building or down the street might recognize the jacket. Posters went up all over Sudbury.

It turns out that the person responsible was wearing the jacket at the time of the murder, the person did take the bus and the jacket was known to people who lived in the same household. It was a somewhat unique jacket because it was sold only in Mervyn's stores in California in 1994-95. You'd think someone would remember a trip to California, but nobody came forward.

The police had it right all along.

 

[zerotohero]

Lots of new voir-dire info here:
Voir-Dire: what the public didn’t hear during the Wright trial

 

[Gina20]

Lots of new voir-dire info here:
Voir-Dire: what the public didn’t hear during the Wright trial

Here's a photo of the window decal, up close and zoomed out:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/ren%C3%A9e-sweeney-murder-trial-what-you-didn-t-hear-1.6788663

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRc2f9xtmabOdgyrmP8CXLQDpFdpvT_5DZmrg&usqp=CAU

 

[musicaljoke]

Here's a photo of the window decal, up close and zoomed out:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/ren%C3%A9e-sweeney-murder-trial-what-you-didn-t-hear-1.6788663

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRc2f9xtmabOdgyrmP8CXLQDpFdpvT_5DZmrg&usqp=CAU

If I saw a window decal like that, I would have assumed the owner was displaying a Trump verdict

 

[Gina20]

Sudbury Crown, defence can't agree on sentencing date for Renee Sweeney's killer​

The only thing left to decide is when Robert Steven Wright becomes eligible for parole

Sudbury Crown, defence can't agree on sentencing date for Renee Sweeney's killer

The only thing left to decide is when Robert Steven Wright becomes eligible for parole.

thesudburystar.com

As a result, the Crown and defence co-counsel will try again to set a sentencing date in Superior assignment court on April 18.

Double time for time served will continue to accrue and will be deducted from the parole eligibility period issued by the judge at sentencing.

 

[Gina20]

Sudbury Crown, defence can't agree on sentencing date for Renee Sweeney's killer​

The only thing left to decide is when Robert Steven Wright becomes eligible for parole

Sudbury Crown, defence can't agree on sentencing date for Renee Sweeney's killer

The only thing left to decide is when Robert Steven Wright becomes eligible for parole.

thesudburystar.com

As a result, the Crown and defence co-counsel will try again to set a sentencing date in Superior assignment court on April 18.

Double time for time served will continue to accrue and will be deducted from the parole eligibility period issued by the judge at sentencing.

Robert Steven Wright has been in custody since December 11, 2018. If sentencing were to occur in late June 2023, and if he became eligible for parole in 10 years, Wright could be out of prison in just over 13 months. However, the judge is not likely to give him the minimum eligibility period, due to the violence involved in Renee's murder. There are other factors involved in parole, as discussed previously. However, an appeal would not make much sense in this scenario, IMO. It would take longer for an appeal to wind its way through the courts than time remaining before parole.

 

[JuneBug67]

Robert Steven Wright has been in custody since December 11, 2018. If sentencing were to occur in late June 2023, and if he became eligible for parole in 10 years, Wright could be out of prison in just over 13 months. However, the judge is not likely to give him the minimum eligibility period, due to the violence involved in Renee's murder. There are other factors involved in parole, as discussed previously. However, an appeal would not make much sense in this scenario, IMO. It would take longer for an appeal to wind its way through the courts than time remaining before parole.

The biggest favour he could do himself is to use this delay to reflect and accept responsibility and express remorse. The violence is a significantly aggravating factor, but just about every other wind blows in his direction. Young at the time of commission, clean record, educated and employed and a signicant support network. The part of me that always assumes the best of people likes to imagine that his reticence is as much about fear and shame as it is about deviousness.