Two men guilty of first degree murder in death of Shawn Yorke
Emotions were high in a Kitchener courtroom Tuesday as a judge handed down a pair of first-degree murder verdicts to two Kitchener men.
Kenneth Morrison, 30, and Mowafag Saboon, 27, received an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years.
In the judge-alone trial, Justice James Sloan determined both were responsible for the shooting death of 46-year-old Shawn Yorke.
Court heard Yorke was killed in his townhome on Elm Ridge Drive around 1 a.m. on July 8, 2018 during a botched robbery.
The judge noted Yorke sold drugs out of his home, and Morrison, Saboon and two teens had planned to rob him.
Justice Sloan added they carried out a home invasion robbery with “two guns at the ready.”
Court was told the group found Yorke sitting on the edge of his bed and he had attempted to fight back.
However, Justice Sloan said Morrison pointed a gun at Yorke and unlawfully confined him before the shooting.
According to the judge's findings it was Saboon who fired the fatal shot at close range and hit him in the chest.
“I am satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that Saboon murdered Shawn,” said Justice Sloan.
After the decision Tammy Lee, Yorke’s family member, provided a statement to CTV:
“We, Shawn’s family, are thankful for the verdict and our justice system. Without the hard work from the Crown Attorney, and everyone involved at the WRPS we would not have the verdict we received today! Although this is not a ‘win’ we are grateful that Shawn’s life was considered and justice was served. Shawn was a man with a heart of gold, and today he is proud of all of us for enduring the pain we have all suffered for three and half years.”
Meanwhile, Morrison's lawyer said they are disappointed with the judge's decision.
"Our client has never minimized his role in this offence, but it is our legal position that he is not guilty of murder," said defence attorney Jessyca Greenwood. "It will be for a higher court to review the conviction should Mr. Morrison decide to appeal."
Morrison and Saboon will return to court on Dec. 9 for a sentence hearing where victim impact statements will be heard.
The two teens involved in this case pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2019 for their role in Yorke’s death.
They were sentenced to three years behind bars.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.