NORTHERN ONTARIO

Sweeney Murder File

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.

Articles on the Sweeney murder case

Sudbury murderer back in court next month on sex assault charges

WHERE TO WATCH US:

Antenna: 5
Bell Fibe: 402
Bell Satellite: 61, 221
Eastlink: 4
Shaw Direct: 356(classic), 050(advanced)
Vianet: 127SC

Fingerprint 'mistake' led to charge of first suspect in Sweeney murder

Under cross-examination by Crown prosecutor Rob Parsons, fingerprint expert Jeff Myatt said he was asked to examine two fingerprint impressions from the crime scene: a bloody print found on top of the cash tray at the crime scene, and a latent print found under the cash tray. (Supplied)

Jury selection goes smoothly, Sweeney murder trial to begin Thursday morning in Sudbury

Renee Sweeney was a 23-year-old student at Laurentian University who worked as a part-time clerk at Adults Only Video. She was stabbed to death while working at the store sometime between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 27, 1998. (File)

Historic Sudbury murder trial scheduled to begin next week

The scene outside Adults Only Video on Paris Street in Sudbury the day Renee Sweeney was murdered, Jan. 27, 1998. (Supplied)

Recent Video Reports

Sudbury News

Friends help Sudbury man find a home after living in an encampment

Glenn Thompson packs his E-bike to make the short trip back to the room he’s renting. Just a few short weeks ago, he was living in a tent.

Sudbury estimates 500 people in the city experiencing homelessness

There are around 500 people experiencing homelessness in Greater Sudbury.

Sudbury police encourage residents to register home security cameras with CAMSAFE

Police in Greater Sudbury are partnering with CAMSAFE, a web-based voluntary registry of CCTV and security cameras.

Sudbury student injured in collision with vehicle Thursday

A 14-year-old student received non-life-threatening injuries Thursday afternoon in a collision with a vehicle in Chelmsford in Greater Sudbury.

New approach aims to divert overdose patients in Sudbury away from the ER

Paramedics in Greater Sudbury say the number of people refusing to go to hospital after an opioid overdose doubled between 2019 and 2023, in part because of the increased use of naxalone.

Feds fund mining projects in Sudbury that provide minerals critical for clean technology

Critical mineral projects in Sudbury got financial support from the federal government on Wednesday when the Minister of Natural Resources was in town for the Conference of Mining Regions and Cities.

Sudbury ordered to reduce fee for FOI request to $11K

The Information and Privacy Commission has ordered Greater Sudbury to reduce the fee for a freedom of information request to $ 11,111 to provide details of how many animals were euthanized in a five-year period, among other questions.

International mining conference underway in Sudbury

An annual international mining conference is underway in Greater Sudbury, Ont., marking the first time the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Conference of Mining Regions and Cities has been held in North America.

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