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

Northern Ont. family ‘ecstatic’ as 25-year-old murder mystery finally solved

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

As March ends, winter storm watch begins in northern Ont.

Several communities in northern Ontario are currently under a winter storm watch, with as much as 40 cm of snow expected between now and Saturday night.

Several communities in northern Ontario are currently under a winter storm watch, with as much as 40 cm of snow expected between now and Saturday night. (File)

Sudbury MPP fights for anti-replacement worker legislation

The New Democrats have long fought for legislation that would ban companies from hiring temporary workers to fill the gaps while their employees are on strike.

The New Democrats have long fought for legislation that would ban companies from hiring temporary workers to fill the gaps while their employees are on strike. (File)

Former church in Sudbury being transformed into a concert hall

There are exciting plans for Knox Presbyterian Church in downtown Sudbury. Built in 1927, the former church was sold after its congregation dwindled and will be transformed into a concert hall.

Northern Ont. police say impaired driver rolled vehicle into ditch

A single-vehicle rollover on Sagamok Road led to two arrests, Ontario Provincial Police said in a news release this week.

‘It only took a couple of minutes’: Students swab cheeks to become potential stem cell donors

Several organizations have partnered with Canadian Blood Services to find potential stem cell donors at both Nipissing University and Canadore College.

Northern Ont. family ‘ecstatic’ as 25-year-old murder mystery finally solved

Robert Steven Wright was convicted Wednesday of murdering Renee Sweeney, a little more than 25 years after her brutal killing shocked the community.

Robert Steven Wright found guilty in Renee Sweeney murder

CTV News has learned the jury in the Robert Steven Wright has found him guilty of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Renee Sweeney in Sudbury on Jan. 27, 1998.

Vale Canada fined $175K for 2020 incident at Northern Ont. mine

Vale Canada Ltd. has been fined $175,000 by the Ministry of Labour in connection to a rock burst that left two workers injured, one of them critically.

Stay Connected