Dramatic moments in Sudbury courtroom as man sentenced for brother's murder
Convicted killer Kerry Burke was sentenced in a Sudbury courtroom on Wednesday to life in prison for murdering his younger brother.
Burke, 60, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder back in May after Brant Burke was found dead on a trail near Killarney in October 2020. He was found with two gunshot wounds in his back.
In new details from the court, it was revealed that the two brothers were living together at Brant’s home while the younger brother was in the middle of a divorce.
Alcohol was deemed a "catalyst" in what transpired the day of the murder in a Gladue report, a document that examines impacts for Indigenous individuals when prosecutors look at options for parole.
During that time, the report said the accused had an alcohol dependency and was "drunk for two weeks," during the time of the incident.
Included in the report was an interview with Burke’s mother, who described Kerry as a "cornerstone" of her nine children.
"He (Kerry) was the one everyone turned to when they needed someone," she said.
Burke’s sentence was originally scheduled for July, but was pushed back due to a delay with the report.
The emotion was palpable in court on Wednesday as 10 family members read impact statements, describing Brant as a loving father of four who enjoyed taking his kids hunting and boating.
Family members described the shock and confusion they still feel to this day, stating that Kerry Burke simultaneously tore the family apart by pulling the trigger.
Hannah Burke, niece of Brant and Kerry Burke, said "nothing will ever be the same because of you," turning to Kerry and adding "I hope you think about the trauma you’ve inflicted on this family."
Leanne Burke, Brant’s daughter, expressed heartbreak at losing her father.
"A piece of my life has been stolen," she said.
Melissa Sheridan, Brant Burke’s estranged ex-wife, appeared in court to have an impact statement read by her lawyer.
Sheridan was arrested in November 2020 following allegations by the accused that she played a part in Brant’s murder.
In a note, Burke alleged that Sheridan planned the murder due to concerns over losing her business during the divorce. The note alleged that Sheridan had offered to pay Burke $10,000. The charges were later dropped because they were found to be unreasonable.
In Sheridan’s statement, she referred to Kerry as a "murderous coward" who tried to implicate her and take her away from her family, adding that the stress has impacted her business and personal relationships.
Kerry Burke was present in court and became tearful during the impact statements.
"I’m truly sorry from the bottom of my heart," he said during his statement.
"But I have to try to forgive myself to become a better person."
Justice Kathleen Cullin, who was presiding the case, referred to the crime as "incomprehensible."
"You had a good family who loved you," she said. "They don’t know why this happened, and frankly, neither do I."
She added that Kerry relied on his brother’s innate trust when they went hunting that day in October two years ago, and that the crime was committed with "clear planning and deliberation."
Burke will be facing life in prison at Central North Correctional Centre, a maximum security prison in Penetanguishene, without the chance of parole for 15 years.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Family of toddler found dead at small-town Ont. daycare no closer to answers after year of investigation
A year has passed since two-year-old Vienna Irwin was found on the property of a home-based daycare in small-town Ontario, but her family says they are no closer to answers of what happened that day.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
Humboldt Broncos crash victims and families react to decision to deport truck driver
The family of one of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018 says they are 'thankful' for a decision by a Calgary immigration board to deport the driver of the truck involved.
Fatal plane crash reported near Squamish, B.C.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has confirmed it is working with local Mounties and the BC Coroners Service after a plane crash near Squamish, B.C. Friday night.
'God forgives but we don’t': Loud outburst from stabbing victim’s family during sentencing hearing
An emotional outburst in a London, Ont. courtroom Friday disrupted the sentencing hearing of a woman who pleaded guilty for her part in the death of 29-year-old Mohammed Abdallah.
Three dead after vehicle plunged down a 100-foot embankment in Shediac, N.B.
Three people have died after a vehicle veered off the road in Shediac N.B., Friday morning.
Appeal denied for Edmonton soldier accused of trying to kill her 3 children
An Edmonton woman found guilty of trying to kill her three children has been denied an appeal.