A man, aged 28, has been given a life sentence with no chance of parole for 14 years after being convicted of killing his aunt and attempting to murder his great aunt during an incident last April.
Shayne MacDonald was found guilty of the second-degree murder of Sarah Vermelhudo and the attempted murder of Sarah’s mother, Maria Vermelhudo. Superior Court Justice Rita-Jean Maxwell, during the sentencing, described the crime as extremely brutal and severe.
The tragic event occurred on December 16, 2016, around 8 pm when MacDonald visited the Vermelhudo residence with intentions to watch a movie with his aunt. However, within ten minutes of his arrival, screams were heard coming from the third floor as MacDonald viciously attacked his aunt with a pocketknife, inflicting multiple stab wounds to her chest, abdomen, and lower back. He then went on to slit Sarah’s neck, causing fatal injuries.
Upon hearing the commotion, Maria, who was on the second floor, rushed to intervene but was also attacked by MacDonald, sustaining injuries to her back during the struggle. With the help of her partner, Maria managed to escape and was taken to the hospital, where she survived the ordeal.
MacDonald fled the scene after the assault but was apprehended three days later at a bus stop following a tip-off to the authorities from the public. His defense team argued that he should be considered not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder, claiming he was experiencing a psychotic episode driven by paranoid delusions.
Contrarily, the prosecution contended that MacDonald was acting out a long-held violent fantasy, emphasizing his disturbing sexual violence inclinations. Superior Court Justice Maxwell highlighted the profound impact of the crime on the Vermelhudo family, especially Maria, who witnessed her daughter’s tragic demise.
In a victim impact statement shared by the Crown, Maria expressed her profound grief over the loss of her daughter, describing the horrifying experience and its lasting effects on her life. The judge concluded that MacDonald’s actions were fueled by his disturbing fantasies of violence and sexual assault, emphasizing his concerning history of violent and sexual ideations.
Acknowledging MacDonald’s troubled past, including a history of childhood sexual abuse and mental health struggles, the judge noted his lack of criminal record and expressions of remorse. While considering potential for rehabilitation, the judge underscored the need to address the risk MacDonald poses to society should he seek parole in the future.