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

Evidence against Sudbury murder suspect ‘overwhelming,’ Crown tells jury

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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

Sudbury murder trial jury expected to begin deliberations

After five weeks of testimony, a Sudbury jury of 13 is expected to begin deliberations Tuesday in the Robert Steven Wright murder trial.

Renee Sweeney was 23 years old when she was murdered in Sudbury.

Noelville house fire under investigation

A Noelville home has suffered major damage after an overnight fire as crews investigate the cause, officials say.

Firefighters rushed to the scene of house fire in Noelville just after midnight. March 28/23 (Stephanie Palmer)

One dead, one injured in MR55 crash between pickup, tanker

The driver of a pickup truck, a 47-year-old woman, has died after a crash with a tanker on MR55 in the Greater Sudbury community of Lively on Tuesday morning, police say.

Evidence against Sudbury murder suspect ‘overwhelming,’ Crown tells jury

The Crown prosecutor in Sudbury made his pitch to the jury Monday afternoon in the Robert Steven Wright murder trial, arguing evidence against him is “overwhelming.”

Sudbury wildlife centre helping lynx with two broken legs

An animal rescue group in Greater Sudbury has its hands full with a wild cat that found itself caught in serious trouble with two broken legs.

Sudbury makes Top 10 list for best Canadian cities to survive a zombie apocalypse

The City of Greater Sudbury made the Top 10 list in a recent survey outlining the best cities in Canada to survive a zombie apocalypse.

Here is why the defence says Wright should be found not guilty of 1998 Sudbury murder

Closing arguments are being heard at the Sudbury courthouse Monday in the trial for the man accused of killing Renee Sweeney in 1998 with the defence saying there is plenty of reasonable doubt to support an acquittal.

How art has made a difference in the life of a northern Ont. man with severe autism

The family of a non-verbal Sudbury man with severe autism is sharing the story of how art has made a remarkable difference in his life as he heads to Toronto to display his paintings.

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