18-month sentence for Toronto subway attacker sheds light on his troubled past
The 23-year-old who slashed a complete stranger in the neck at St. George Station in Toronto last year has been sentenced to 18 months in prison, in a decision that sheds light on the young man’s troubled history.
In a ruling posted this month, Justice Brock Jones called Donta Easterbrook’s actions “an unprovoked, random attack on an innocent citizen,” and outlined Easterbrook’s crystal meth addiction and mental health problems that had not been treated successfully.
“Mr. Easterbrook’s assault on Mr. Greco was dangerous, violent and completely unjustified. It showed utter contempt for his life and safety. It could have resulted in serious injury,” the justice wrote.
“His actions have left every innocent member of the public to wonder if they would be safe when they next chose to enter a subway station.”
One night in April 2022, at around 11:20 p.m., 30-year-old Mario Greco was finishing a date with a woman when they were approached by a man at the station, Greco recalled in an interview with CTV News Toronto.
“He was looking disturbed, bobbing his head up and down,” Greco said. The man started to talk to his companion, and Greco engaged him to be ‘nice’ — then suddenly felt what he thought was a bee sting on his neck. He touched it and felt blood and realized he’d been attacked.
“I thought I was going to die. I was terrified,” Greco said. Pictures Greco shared showed the immediate aftermath: the inch-long wound needed three stitches and could have been much worse if it hit an artery.
An image of Mario Greco's stab wound following the attack. (Supplied)
“I was so happy about how lucky I was. The main thing I was thinking is I’m so lucky, thank God I’m still here,” Greco said.
The attack came amid a wave of high-profile incidents that had some riders doubting transit safety. Jones’ ruling explains some of the back story behind the random attack.
Easterbrook had an abusive childhood, didn’t finish high school, and started using drugs at a young age, Jones wrote. In a mental health hospital he was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression, but only took his medication during crystal meth withdrawal.
“Mr. Easterbrook’s father made many attempts to take him to appointments to address his mental health issues. He would not participate or would not follow through,” the judge wrote.
In one visit from a probation officer, “he showed signs of mental distress. He appeared to be engaging in conversation with people who were not present.”
In 2018, Easterbrook had a conviction of pointing a firearm, assault and uttering a threat, and years later, in 2022, was convicted of assaulting a peace officer.
Easterbrook pleaded guilty to assault. He was sentenced in 2022 but the decision was posted publicly recently.
He still believes he knew Greco, and lashed out because he believed Greco “ratted” on him – even though none of that is true, Jones wrote.
Easterbrook’s family told the judge they had had “enough” of trying to care for him, Jones wrote.
“His prior history of non-compliance with treatment options for mental health or substance abuse is very troubling. His stated intention to continue to use drugs upon his release from custody raises the risk of him re-offending considerably,” Jones said. Easterbrook’s sentence will include an additional three year probation order.
A graphic of Justice Brock Jones' decision. (CTV News Toronto)
After an outcry about transit safety, Toronto police boosted their presence onboard the TTC. Their overtime deployments ended on March 13 – though officials have said there are still regular patrols.
Shelagh Pizey-Allen of advocacy group TTCriders said the ruling is more evidence that safety on the TTC has less to do with the transit system itself.
“What’s happening is the systems outside the TTC are failing to take care of people,” she said, calling for staff to engage people at stations and get the help they need.
Greco still has a scar on his neck from the attack. He said he’s not sure more police on transit would help — given the attack seemed to come out of nowhere.
But he said hearing Easterbrook’s back story pushes him to focus on the root causes of the violence and prevent others from being victims.
“We can’t direct our anger and hatred to the attacker. We have to ask why is our system permitting people to be in these situations that leads to these attacks?” he said.
Greco said he is considering reaching out directly to Easterbrook. He said he feels strongly for people who have been killed in attacks on transit, including 16-year-old Gabriel Magalhaes, who died on the Keele Station platform in the city’s west end recently.
“My family was devastated. I can only imagine what they’re going through. I wish they were as lucky as I was,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.