'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
More than half of Canadians say freedom of speech is under threat, new poll suggests
A new poll suggests a majority of Canadians feel their right to freedom of speech is in danger.
NEW Kim Kardashian brand kids' sleepwear and more: Here are some recalls to watch out for
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.
Wally, the emotional support alligator once denied entry to a baseball game, is missing
Emotional support animal registrations in the United States reached 115,832 last year, by an industry group’s count. But in the eyes of reptile rescuer Joie Henney, there’s only one: 'Wally Gator.'
Maple Leafs down Bruins 2-1 to force Game 7
William Nylander scored twice and Joseph Woll made 22 saves as the Toronto Maple Leafs downed the Boston Bruins 2-1 on Thursday to force Game 7 in their first-round series.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Federal government to announce funding to help Toronto host six 2026 World Cup games
The federal government is set to announce funding to help Toronto host six matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Is your password 123456? Here's why you should make it stronger
With the sheer number of passwords needed today, it may come as no surprise that over 60 per cent of Canadians feel overwhelmed, and over a third reportedly forget their passwords monthly.
Three Quebec men from same family father hundreds of children
Three men in Quebec from the same family have fathered more than 600 children.