Sandy Gauthier’s Keswick home should have been her sanctuary.
Recommended Videos
Instead, on Jan. 15, 2022, the 85-year-old was sexually assaulted and stabbed to death before her killer set her Miami Dr. residence ablaze to cover his insidious crime.
Late Tuesday, Brad Strickler, 24, of Keswick, was convicted of first-degree murder in a Newmarket court, CTV News reported.
Gauthier’s youngest son, Terry Gauthier, told reporters: “The jury got it right.”
According to CTV, the six-woman, five-man jury deliberated for about seven hours after receiving instructions from Justice Jill Cameron.
Strickler’s lawyers argued that the prosecution hadn’t proven he was in a right state of mind to kill. In addition, the defence argued their client was intoxicated after a booze-a-thon with loved ones. He then went for a walk before entering Gauthier’s home.
But hanging over the young man was the fact he had sexually assaulted, stabbed and killed the helpless Gauthier then set her home ablaze.
Prosecutors said Strickler admitted to cops that he had killed the senior. They added that he had earlier pleaded guilty to manslaughter in Gauthier’s death but the Crown torpedoed the sentence discount gambit.
His sentencing hearing is slated for next Thursday when the court will hear victim impact statements. In Canada, a first-degree murder conviction carries a life sentence without the possibility of applying for parole for 25 years.
@HunterTOSun