'You ripped a hole in all our lives': Families of victims speak at sentencing for Joseph George Sutherland
Family and friends of Susan Tice and Erin Gilmour addressed their loved ones’ killer in a Toronto courtroom Monday, deploring his decision to keep the crimes to himself for nearly 40 years.
“You had almost forty years to come forward and take responsibility for what you did,” Sean McCowan, brother of Gilmour, told Joseph George Sutherland, sitting in the prisoner’s box of Toronto’s Superior Court of Justice. "Your crimes took a mother and daughter and sister from two families and yet you did nothing and go on continuing to live your life.”
Gilmour, the daughter of mining magnate David Gilmour, was 22 years old when she was stabbed, strangled and sexually assaulted in her Yorkville apartment on the night of Dec. 20, 1983.
Earlier that year, Susan Tice had also been found stabbed to death after being sexually assaulted in her Bickford Park home, just a few kilometres away from Gilmour’s apartment.
Sutherland was not arrested for nearly 40 years. The court heard he considered turning himself in at several points during that time, but opted against it.
It wasn’t until advances in DNA technology led officers to link evidence from both crime scenes that Sutherland was arrested in November 2022. He was placed into custody in his home in Moosonee, Ont. by Ontario Provincial Police.
Initially charged with first-degree murder, Sutherland, now in his 60s, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder in October.
“You ripped a hole in all of our lives that could never be fixed or filled in,” McCowan told Sutherland.
Kaelin McCowan, also a brother of Erin’s, said in his statement that the trauma of losing his sister has left “huge gaps” in his childhood memories.
“He got to live his life. He got to pursue things that were important to him ... raise children,” he said. “I had a sister, and she didn’t get to do any of those things.”
Ben Tice, Susan’s eldest son, also delivered his statement directly to Sutherland, who hung his head and did not make eye contact.
“Truly the most haunting is the question of why,” Tice said. “Why would (you) take the life of my mother and Ms. Gilmour? What right did you have?”
Sutherland’s upcoming sentencing hearing will decide his length of parole, as a conviction of second-degree murder comes with an automatic life sentence.
Crown prosecutors are seeking no chance of parole for 20 to 22 years for Sutherland.
Pointing to a sentencing report considered by the court, Crown Attorney Michael Cantlon argued that while Sutherland has expressed remorse for his actions, he has been unable to explain his motivation for committing them. He also does not remember committing the murders, the court heard.
In a statement to the media, Cantlon said the murders of Tice and Gilmour “have left permanent, inter-generational emotional scars” on those impacted.
“These horrific killings shocked the community. His victims were alone at the time, in their own homes, living their own independent lives,” the statement reads.
“At the end of this sentencing process, we anticipate that he will be held accountable for the longstanding damage he has caused to these families and to everyone else impacted in our community.”
Sutherland did speak at the sentencing hearing on Monday, apologizing directly to the families of his victims.
“I am sorry for taking your loved ones away,” he said. “I am remorseful for what I’ve done. I am still trying to understand where I went wrong.”
Lawyers for Sutherland are asking for no less than 18 years before he is eligible for parole, pointing to his age as a mitigating factor. They also argued that Sutherland’s record prior to and after the murder would render him unlikely to reoffend.
Sentencing has been adjourned until March 22 when a decision is expected.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
AS IT HAPPENED Wildfire reaches Jasper Wednesday night, causes 'significant loss'
One of two wildfires threatening Jasper National Park reached the townsite Wednesday night and caused 'significant loss.'
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.