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

Man sentenced in Sudbury for 1998 Renee Sweeney murder

WHERE TO WATCH US:

Antenna: 5
Bell Fibe: 402
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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

Sudbury’s indoor pools are old, outdated and costly to maintain, study concludes

While not yet wading into the dangerous waters of closing community pools, a report on the state of city-owned pools in Greater Sudbury found they are old, costly and don’t conform to modern standards.

Sudbury pickup truck driver involved in head-on crash was impaired, police say

A commercial motor vehicle and a pickup truck were involved in a head-on collision early Wednesday morning, Ontario Provincial Police say

Sudbury senior killed in Hwy. 69 crash Tuesday

A 65-year-old from Greater Sudbury was killed in a single-vehicle crash just after midnight Tuesday on Highway 69.

Sudbury council OK’s $65M plan to move library, art gallery into city hall

The long-discussed plan to build a new art gallery and library in Greater Sudbury is moving forward after city council approved a $65 million plan at a special meeting Tuesday.

Northern Ont. business competes for awards on international stage for work in VR

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Festive RIDE campaign launches in Sudbury

The annual Festive RIDE campaign launched Tuesday in Greater Sudbury. It’s a message that gets repeated year after year.

Fraudsters prey on Robinson-Huron Treaty members, offering ‘direct deposit’ of $10B settlement

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Parents charged after Northern Ont. police checking on children find drugs and weapons

Acting on behalf of another government agency, Ontario Provincial Police in Blind River, Ont., found weapons and drugs while doing a wellness check on children.

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