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. He has been held in jail since his arrest in Dec. 2018.
After several delays, the trial began Feb. 21, 2023, just after the 25th anniversary of Sweeney's death.
CTV News Digital content producer Darren MacDonald is bringing the latest from the courtroom every day and will have full coverage of the trial here.
Articles on the Sweeney murder case
Recent Video Reports
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Sweeney murder trial on hold until Monday
![The Renee Sweeney murder trial in Sudbury is adjourned for a few days after one of the jurors tested positive for COVID-19.]()
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Eye witness testifies for the defence
![At the Sweeney murder trial Wednesday a witness who saw a man enter the Adults Only Video store was on the stand for the defence.]()
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Sudbury murder suspect’s testimony challenged
![TRIAL UPDATE: The man accused of a 1998 Sudbury murder was repeatedly challenged on the witness stand Tuesday by the Crown prosecutor.]()
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Man accused in Sudbury murder returns to the stand
![The cross-examination of the man accused in a 1998 murder in Sudbury continues Tuesday. Ian Campbell has the latest from the courtroom.]()
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Man accused of 1998 Sudbury murder takes the stand
![The man accused of a brutal 1998 murder in Sudbury takes the witness stand to testify in his own defence. Here’s what happened in court.]()
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More expert testimony about physical evidence
![Friday a Toronto-based expert in DNA analysis took the stand & was asked to form an opinion on the DNA evidence in the Renee Sweeney case.]()
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Experts testify about physical evidence
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Investigators lay out DNA evidence in Wright trial
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Retired forensics officer on murder evidence
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Sudbury murder trial continues after brief delay
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Forensic pathologist testifies in Sweeney case
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More details on the first suspect in Sweeney case
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Police officers testify in Sweeney murder trial
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Sudbury murder trial hears from ER doctor
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Sweeney murder trial continued Friday
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Day one of the Sweeney Murder Trial
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Day one of the Sweeney Murder Trial underway
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Jury selection completed for Renee Sweeney trial
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Long-awaited Sudbury murder trial about to start
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What to expect in Sweeney murder court case
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Sudbury police conference on Renee Sweeney murder
Sudbury News
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A survey by a northern Ontario think tank shows that while communities in the region are generally welcoming to visible minorities, racism and discrimination are still prevalent.
Elliot Lake cancels drag race event, cites lack of interest, economic losses
Elliot Lake has cancelled the Northern Shore Drag Race, which has been going on for the past two decades and typically draws hundreds of vehicles and a thousand people.
Sudbury police say vehicle was travelling 170 km/h in 80 km/h zone
A young driver from Espanola has been charged with stunt driving following a recent incident in the early morning hours in Sudbury.
Francophone musician in North Bay celebrates as his song reaches No. 1 across Canada
A long-time francophone musician in North Bay is celebrating as his latest hit single, ‘Simple de Même,’ holds the No. 1 spot on radio stations across the country.
Another southern Ont. snowmobiler dies in crash on a northern trail
Another southern Ontario resident in their 30s has died following a snowmobile crash in the northern region.
Northern Ont. teen lands 1st acting gig in new Canadian series
A 13-year-old from northern Ontario tells CTV News how he went from having no acting experience to landing a role on an upcoming series for the streaming service Crave.
Sudbury murder trial delayed again due to COVID-19
The second-degree murder trial of Robert Steven Wright was delayed again Monday due to COVID-19.
MR80 reopened after serious single-vehicle crash in Val Caron
Sudbury police have reopened MR80 following a serious crash that sent a man to hopsital with life-threatening injuries.
