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
Recent Video Reports
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Legal expert on Sudbury murder trial verdict
![With a guilty verdict in the Robert Steven Wright murder trial, sentencing and intent to appeal, a legal expert weighs in.]()
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Murder victim's family reaction to guilty verdict
![WATCH: Reaction from Renee Sweeney's family outside the Sudbury Courthouse after the jury found Robert Steven Wright guilty of her murder.]()
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Wright found guilty in Sweeney murder trial
![After 5 weeks of testimony the jury has found Robert Steven Wright guilty of second degree murder in the stabbing death of Renee Sweeney.]()
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Renee Sweeney murder trial: After the verdict
![Jury found Robert Steven Wright guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Renee Sweeney. Ian Campbell has reactions at the courthouse.]()
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WATCH: Reaction from Crown to guilty verdict
![Here is what the Crown attorneys had to say outside the Sudbury courthouse after a jury found Robert Steven Wright guilty of Sweeney murder.]()
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Video of Sweeney murder investigator after verdict
![WATCH: Reaction from lead Sweeney murder investigator Sgt. Robert Weston outside the Sudbury courthouse after the guilty verdict.]()
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Wright jury enters into Day 2 of deliberations
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Deliberations underway in Sudbury murder trial
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Final arguments made in Sudbury murder trial
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Closing arguments begin in Sudbury murder trial
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Defence wraps case in Sweeney murder trial
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Third delay in Sudbury murder trial
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Sudbury murder trial delayed again due to COVID-19
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Sweeney murder trial on hold until Monday
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Eye witness testifies for the defence
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Sudbury murder suspect’s testimony challenged
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Man accused in Sudbury murder returns to the stand
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Man accused of 1998 Sudbury murder takes the stand
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More expert testimony about physical evidence
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Experts testify about physical evidence
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Investigators lay out DNA evidence in Wright trial
Sudbury News
Wildfire west of Sudbury prompts evacuation order, total active fires in northern Ont. grows to 54
A northern Ontario forest fire that started west of Sudbury on Sunday morning has grown to more than 1,000 hectares and has prompted officials to issue an evacuation order for the immediate area as the number of active fires in the region grows.
Sudbury students learn about Indigenous culture
Elementary students from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board had a glimpse into First Nations culture Tuesday, taking part in a traditional powwow.
Art Gallery of Sudbury looks for support after thieves do $15K in damage
The Art Gallery of Sudbury is looking for help from the community after two external air conditioning units were damaged by thieves, leading to a $15,000 repair bill.
Return of the tent caterpillar in northern Ontario
Tent caterpillar infestations are a problem in northern Ontario every few summers and it looks like they could be returning this year.
Northern Ont. teen, 13, facing new sexual assault charge, 10 total
A 13-year-old male from Elliot Lake in northern Ontario has been charged with sexual assault again, bringing the total to 10, after another survivor came forward.
Emergency orders expanded in northeast Ont. due to forest fires, evacuation west of Sudbury
While firefighters get more forest fires under control in northern Ontario, travel restrictions declared under an emergency order are being expanded in several communities, including immediate evacuation orders for an area west of Sudbury.
Sudbury police swear in second female deputy chief
Greater Sudbury Police Service (GSPS) added a new member to its senior team Monday, a second female deputy chief.
Indigneous art decorates Manitoulin Island basketball court
A basketball court on Manitoulin Island has had an incredible transformation and an Indigenous artist is seeing her work come to life on the unusual medium.
