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

Legal expert weighs in on Sudbury murder trial verdict, next steps

WHERE TO WATCH US:

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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

Northerners wish the weather was an April Fool's Day joke

Many in the northeast looked outside their windows this morning to find that the weather was certainly no April Fool's Day joke.

The view outside of the CTV Northern Ontario station in Greater Sudbury on the morning of April 1/23. (James Warner-Smith/Sudbury's Pure Country 91.7)

NDP again try to change Ontario’s organ donation system to an opt-out one

MPP France Gélinas has reintroduced a bill aimed at increasing the availability of organs for transplant in Ontario.

France Gélinas at Queen's Park on March 30/23 introducing the 'Peter Kormos Memorial Act'. (Supplied)

Northern highways reopen after winter storm forced closure

Highways 11, 17 and 17B have all reopened after being closed for several hours on Saturday.

Transgender visibility day celebrated in northern Ontario

Friday was International Transgender Day of Visibility, which recognizes and celebrates the trans, two-spirit and gender-diverse community.

Battalion, Wolves begin OHL playoff journey

The final week of regular season play was a good one for the Sudbury Wolves, who managed to pull out a fifth-place finish on the last day, despite the talk of a possible playoff date with their Highway 17 rivals in North Bay.

Sudbury music festival announces this year's lineup

The Strumbellas, Zachary Richard, Sloan, and Mountain City Four are headlining this year’s edition of Northern Lights Festival Boreal, organizers announced Friday.

Rainbow school board in Sudbury holds first career fair

With increased enrolment and some employees retiring, the Rainbow District School Board is hosting its first career fair April 1.

Threat closes Sault Ste. Marie school Friday

An unidentified threat Friday has closed Kina Awiiya Secondary Program on Albert Street East in Sault Ste. Marie.

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