R. v. Dequilla, 2024 ONCJ 227

ONTARIO COURT OF JUSTICE DATE: 2024 May 7 Toronto

COURT FILE#: 22-10007003; 23-70001235; 22-10007665; 23-48101933; 23-70001513

BETWEEN:

HIS MAJESTY THE KING

— AND —

DWIGHT DEQUILLA

SENTENCING JUDGMENT

Before: Justice Brock Jones

Heard on: December 7 and 15, 2023 January 11, March 19, April 23, and May 2, 2024

Written Reasons Provided on: May 7, 2024

Counsel: C. Langdon........................................................................................... counsel for the Crown C. Mills................................................................................................ counsel for Mr. Dequilla

Jones J.:

Introduction

[1] Dwight Dequilla and Melanie Cruz were in a committed relationship for seventeen years. They have three children. By the fall of 2022, Ms. Cruz had made the difficult decision to separate from Mr. Dequilla, and the relationship should have peacefully come to an end. However, Mr. Dequilla was unwilling to accept Ms. Cruz’s decision to leave him.

[2] Beginning on December 10, 2022, he embarked on a campaign of harassment and abuse against Ms. Cruz. To protect herself, she repeatedly reached out for help. Mr. Dequilla was first cautioned by the police, then arrested, and later re-arrested. Each time he was arrested, he was released and ordered by a court to have no contact with Ms. Cruz. Yet each time, he deliberately breached the court orders placed on him.

[3] Finally, on Christmas Day, 2022, he committed a terrifying act of intimate partner violence upon Ms. Cruz in the presence of one of their daughters. He was arrested the next day and released for a third time following a contested bail hearing on December 28, 2022. He was again ordered to have no contact with Ms. Cruz or a witness to one of these events, Mr. Neil Virtucio.

[4] Mr. Dequilla’s obsession and rage culminated in the attempted murder of Mr. Virtucio on December 29, 2022. He stalked Ms. Cruz that evening and located her in the presence of Mr. Virtucio near a public school in downtown Toronto. Convinced in his mind that Mr. Virtucio was having an affair with Ms. Cruz, he beat Mr. Virtucio to near death and left him on the street in a pool of blood. He fled the scene, leaving Ms. Cruz to contact the police.

[5] On December 30, he was caught by police officers in Ms. Cruz’s presence once more. He was arrested and finally held in custody. Over the following three months, he nevertheless communicated directly and indirectly with her from jail.

[6] Mr. Dequilla entered guilty pleas to two counts of mischief under $5000 (Criminal Code section 430(4)); one count of assault (against Ms. Cruz; Criminal Code section 266); one count of attempted murder (against Mr. Neil Virtucio; Criminal Code section 239(1)); two counts of failing to comply with an undertaking (Criminal Code section 145(4)(a)); five counts of failing to comply with a term of a release order (Criminal Code section 145(5)); and two counts of attempting to breach a non-communication order issued while he was in pre-trial detention (Criminal Code section 145(5(b))).

[7] On April 23, 2024, the parties presented their arguments for an appropriate sentence. I reserved my decision.

Agreed Statement of Facts

[8] The parties filed a lengthy agreed statement of facts in support of the plea. I have reduced the agreed facts to the following chronological summary for this judgment.

December 10, 2022

[9] Ms. Jennifer Rivero and Mr. Neil Virtucio attended the basement apartment of Mr. Dequilla and Ms. Cruz to socialize. An argument ensued between Ms. Rivero and Mr. Virtucio, and the argument escalated into a physical fight. Later that night, Ms. Rivero attempted to call the police on her cellphone. Mr. Dequilla threw the phone, damaging its screen, to prevent her from doing so.

December 15, 2022

[10] Police officers attended Mr. Dequilla’s residence for a domestic incident. No charges were laid, but the officers cautioned Mr. Dequilla to stop contacting Ms. Cruz.

December 17, 2022

[11] At 9 p.m., Ms. Cruz contacted the police because Mr. Dequilla arrived at her residence and kicked on her door, yelling for her. He left before the police arrived.

December 19/20, 2022

[12] Ms. Cruz had another argument with Mr. Dequilla. He punched a clock affixed to a wall and damaged it. Police officers arrived and arrested him for mischief under $5000. He was later released on an undertaking to an officer at the police division. A term of that undertaking prohibited him from having contact with Ms. Cruz.

[13] Police officers returned to speak to Ms. Cruz. She informed them that Mr. Dequilla was already texting and trying to call her. A warrant was issued for Mr. Dequilla’s arrest for violating the “no contact” term of the undertaking.

December 22, 2022

[14] Mr. Dequilla was arrested. A justice of the peace in bail court placed him on a release order. The conditions of that order included terms that prohibited him from contacting Ms. Cruz and prohibited him from attending within 100m of her address or anywhere she was known to frequent.

[15] He sent Ms. Cruz text messages throughout the day, violating that release order.

December 25, 2022

[16] On Christmas Day, Mr. Dequilla sent a text message to one of his daughters. He asked her to pass on a message to Ms. Cruz indicating he would be in Cambridge. He requested that she attend the address where he was staying to gather some of her personal belongings that he still possessed. The “no contact” term on his release order prohibited indirect communication with Ms. Cruz.

[17] Ms. Cruz attended the location he provided with one of her daughters. She asked her daughter to enter the unit first to ensure Mr. Dequilla was not present. She heard her daughter speaking to someone inside. Concerned for her daughter, Ms. Cruz decided to enter the address herself.

[18] She discovered Mr. Dequilla. They argued. He begged her to stay with him. She made it clear that their relationship was over. Mr. Dequilla placed his hands around Ms. Cruz’s neck and pushed her onto a bed, pinning her there. She screamed for him to let her go. He covered her mouth and whispered, “If I can’t have you, no one can.”

[19] Mr. Dequilla noticed that his daughter was still present and witnessing the assault on her mother. He stopped. Ms. Cruz and her daughter left, and she contacted the police. She told the police she feared for her safety.

December 26, 2022

[20] Mr. Dequilla was arrested and held for a contested bail hearing. While in custody at the Toronto South Detention Centre (“TSDC”), he contacted Ms. Cruz by telephone. He said to her, “I’m coming for you.”

December 28-30, 2022

[21] On December 28, 2022, Mr. Dequilla was released by a justice of the peace on a release order again. He was prohibited from contacting Ms. Cruz.

[22] The next day, December 29, 2022, Ms. Cruz was walking with Mr. Virtucio near a public school in downtown Toronto. She had been receiving text messages from Mr. Dequilla all day. He was upset that he had been arrested three times for crimes involving her.

[23] At approximately 8 p.m., Mr. Dequilla approached Ms. Cruz and Mr. Virtucio. He was wearing a mask. He said, “I knew I would catch you!” and “What are you doing with my girl?” He punched Mr. Virtucio and knocked him to the ground. He stomped on his head multiple times and then sat on him while continually punching him in the face. After he brutally injured Mr. Virtucio, he fled the scene.

[24] Ms. Cruz called the police. Ms. Cruz noticed Mr. Virtucio was barely awake and bleeding heavily from his face. When emergency services arrived, they located Mr. Virtucio in severe physical distress. After he arrived at St. Michael’s Hospital, he was deemed to be in serious jeopardy. He was intubated and taken to the ICU.

[25] Officers began to search for Mr. Dequilla. On December 30, 2022, at 10:52 p.m., they observed a stolen motor vehicle on Augusta Ave. in Toronto. They located a male driver and Ms. Cruz inside the vehicle in the front passenger seat. In the back of the car, hiding, was Mr. Dequilla. He was arrested.

December 31, 2022 – March 2023

[26] Mr. Dequilla appeared in bail court and was ordered to “abstain from communicating directly or indirectly with Melanie Cruz” under Criminal Code section 516(2) while he remained in custody.

[27] On January 23, 2022, Mr. Dequilla wrote a letter to his friend, Jason Jackson. In the letter, he admitted to the assault on Mr. Virtucio and stated that “he deserves a bullet for betraying me.” He wrote that he would “never forgive” Ms. Cruz for speaking to the police. He referred to her as a “double-crossing bitch” and said he planned to “take my kids and live without her.”

[28] In February, Mr. Dequilla wrote another letter to Mr. Jackson’s partner, Ms. Vanessa Veloz. In this letter, he directed Ms. Veloz to tell Ms. Cruz to stop cooperating with the police. He identified her as the “prime witness” to the assault on Mr. Virtucio.

[29] Later that month, he wrote a letter directly to Ms. Cruz. He expresses his love for her and promises to treat her as his “only wife forever.” He wrote that “it is all on you to determine how long I am in here” and that she should “ask my lawyer what you need to do to get me out.” He commented that their children would be harmed if he were in prison for a prolonged period.

[30] Jail officials intercepted the letters and did not reach their intended recipients. I will expand upon the significance of the contents of these letters later in this judgment.

Background of the Offender

[31] Mr. Dequilla is 43 years old. He was born in the Philippines. His family arrived in Canada when he was approximately six years old. At first, he struggled to adjust to life in Canada. Learning English was challenging, and he faced a culture shock associated with a new country and new experiences.

[32] He was diagnosed with ADD and ADHD at an early age. He attended therapy and was prescribed medication.

[33] At 13, he and his brother were removed from their parents’ custody and placed in foster care. His father had been abusive to everyone in their home. He struck Mr. Dequilla and his brother. He remembers his father assaulting his mother as well, including one incident where he broke her arm. After a teacher observed bruises on his back, a school official contacted a Children’s Aid Society.

[34] He dropped out of school at age 16 to help financially support his mother. At 18, he was formally released from the group home. As a young adult, he began to accumulate criminal charges.

[35] His prior criminal record includes a conviction for assault causing bodily harm in 1999 and a conviction for aggravated assault in 2000. The latter conviction resulted in a sentence of 5 years and three months in addition to 4 months and 15 days of pre-sentence custody.

[36] After that, he was not found guilty of an offence until March 29, 2021, when he received a conditional discharge for one count of assault and one count of failing to comply with a recognizance. The victim of that assault was also Ms. Cruz. While on probation for his prior assault against Ms. Cruz, he completed the partner assault response program. This program is designed to teach offenders about the harm associated with domestic violence and how to manage their anger or frustration in the future.

[37] After his release from prison in the early 2000s, he met Ms. Cruz. They started a relationship and had three children. His mother, Mrs. Emily Dequilla, described his relationship with Ms. Cruz as “toxic.” She noted that Mr. Dequilla and Ms. Cruz had substance issues. Mr. Dequilla admitted to being addicted to crystal meth. He used it every day for over 15 years. He also experimented with heroin. He consumed crystal meth on the day he assaulted Mr. Virtucio. When using crystal meth, he would make “erratic decisions as I don’t think about the consequences.”

[38] Mr. Dequilla accepts full responsibility for his actions and expressed regret to the author of the PSR. He explained that he assaulted Mr. Virtucio because he believed Ms. Cruz was “stepping out of the relationship” with him. He prays every night for forgiveness for his actions. Mr. Virtucio was a childhood friend.

[39] In prison, Mr. Dequilla completed his high school diploma. He has worked various jobs, including a metal shop, a restaurant, a retirement home, and a recycling plant. He is a licenced machine operator and has worked in construction periodically since 2004.

[40] While incarcerated at the Toronto East Detention Centre (“TEDC”) awaiting sentencing on these matters, he completed over 40 courses. These courses focused on, among other matters, spirituality, religious guidance, and anger management. He has also completed a financial literacy program and a literacy initiative program which offers preparatory college courses.

[41] He has strong family support and remains in close contact with his extended family.

[42] On May 2, 2024, Mr. Dequilla read me a letter he wrote in jail. He explained that he recognizes the harm he has done to everyone affected by his actions. He knows he cannot turn back the clock. Not a day goes by when he does not think about his crimes. He must atone for and repair the damage he caused.

Positions of the Parties

[43] On behalf of the Crown, Ms. Langdon seeks a 10-year sentence. These crimes demand a sentence that emphasizes deterrence and denunciation. Mr. Dequilla has a prior criminal record for violent offences. He violated several court orders intended to protect Ms. Cruz.

[44] While he deserves credit for his guilty plea, the offence of attempted murder alone requires a sentence of 8-9 years in prison. The Crown’s position fairly reflects his plea and expression of remorse.

[45] Mr. Mills submits an eight-year sentence, which is appropriate. He does not dispute these were serious crimes committed in a domestic context and that the Crown’s position is reasonable. Yet, rehabilitation still has a role to play in the sentencing of Mr. Dequilla. The courses he completed in custody speak to his potential for change.

[46] There is also a twenty-year gap in his client’s record. He can live a pro-social life free from crime.

Sentencing Law

[47] A sentence must be proportionate to “the gravity of the offence committed and the moral blameworthiness of the offender”: see Criminal Code section 718.1; R. v. Suter, 2018 SCC 34, at para. 4. The more serious the crime and its consequences, or the more significant the offender’s degree of responsibility or moral blameworthiness, the heavier the sentence: see R. v. Lacasse, 2015 SCC 64, at para. 12.

Intimate Partner Violence

[48] Intimate partner violence has long been recognized as a crime worthy of particular denunciation by the courts. Twenty years ago, in R. v. Boucher, at para. 27, Simmons J.A., speaking for the court, said:

… this court has repeatedly emphasized that the principles of denunciation and deterrence are of paramount importance in cases involving domestic violence … the sentences imposed in cases involving domestic violence must be such that they will foster an environment in which individuals can feel free to leave romantic relationships without fear of harassment or harm, and without fear of violence aimed at forcing a return to a no longer wanted relationship …

It follows that the principles of general and specific deterrence must be the overriding considerations in the determination of the sentence in this case. Those principles demand a very heavy sentence… [Emphasis added.]

[49] Unfortunately, the problem has worsened, not improved, in the last twenty years. The Ontario Court of Appeal commented again on the severity of intimate partner violence last year in Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia, 2023 ONCA 476. The Court opened its decision with the following paragraph:

Intimate partner violence is a pervasive social problem. It takes many forms, including physical violence, psychological abuse, financial abuse and intimidation. In Canada, nearly half of women and a third of men have experienced intimate partner violence and rates are on the rise. What was once thought to be a private matter is now properly recognized for its widespread and intergenerational effects.

[50] In R. v. Cunningham, 2023 ONCA 36, the Court of Appeal described the effects of intimate partner violence as “heinous” and reiterated the importance of courts prioritizing general deterrence and denunciation in the sentencing process: see para. 26. Offenders who commit these offences abuse a position of trust concerning their victims, which is an additional aggravating factor: see Cunningham at para. 27; Criminal Code section 718.2(a)(iii).

[51] In response to continuing concerns about intimate partner violence in Canada, the Court of Appeal observed that Parliament introduced Bill C-75 in 2019. This legislation contained a focus on intimate partner violence and supported the imposition of increased sentences. Justice Benotto wrote:

…the intention of Parliament clearly supports enhanced penalties for perpetrators of domestic violence and denunciation and deterrence as the primary sentencing objectives. It also supports changes in sentencing ranges to reflect societal awareness and knowledge of the damage to society, as well as victims, caused by domestic violence. [1]

[52] As part of these amendments, Parliament introduced section 718.04 of the Criminal Code, which states:

When a court imposes a sentence for an offence that involved the abuse of a person who is vulnerable because of personal circumstances – including because the person is Aboriginal and female — the court shall give primary consideration to the objectives of denunciation and deterrence of the conduct that forms the basis of the offence.

[53] The victims of intimate partner violence are overwhelmingly women. The harm done to them directly is often readily apparent to anyone with experience in the criminal justice system. Bill C-75 was meant, in part, to recognize the gendered nature of these crimes and provide direction to sentencing courts accordingly. [2]

[54] Yet these crimes also harm others indirectly, including innocent bystanders who are sometimes forced to witness the abuse of a loved one while feeling powerless to stop the perpetrator. Such was the sad fate of Mr. Dequilla and Ms. Cruz’s daughter, who was present when he placed his hands around her neck and pinned her to a bed while stating, “If I can’t have you, no one can.”

[55] In Barendregt v. Grebliunas, 2022 SCC 22, at para. 143, the Supreme Court of Canada stated that even exposing children to family violence can have long-term detrimental impacts on their development and places them at risk of emotional and behavioural problems throughout their lives. While I did not receive a victim impact statement from the child who had to witness this horrifying assault on her mother, there is no doubt this would have been a traumatic event. This is a significant aggravating factor: see R. v. Jainga, 2024 ONCJ 86, at para. 50.

[56] Furthermore, Mr. Dequilla was bound by court orders prohibiting him from contacting Ms. Cruz and repeatedly defied those orders. On the day he placed his hands around Ms. Cruz’s neck, he was subject to a release order with terms that were explicitly imposed to protect her. Mr. Dequilla’s decision to intentionally violate these terms immediately after his release from jail involved planning and deliberation. He lured Ms. Cruz to the address in Cambridge. His actions targeted Ms. Cruz, a woman seeking to escape domestic abuse, who had made it clear to him that she wanted no further part of their prior relationship.

[57] Given that Mr. Dequilla pleaded guilty to the count of assault against Ms. Cruz, I sentence Mr. Dequilla to 8 months in jail. For the count of failing to comply with a release order on the day of the assault (“no contact”), I impose a subsequent sentence of four months in jail, consecutive. A one-year sentence for this act of intimate partner violence, committed while on bail and in the presence of their child, is the bare minimum that meets the principles of sentencing in light of his prior criminal record. [3] To emphasize, that record included a recent prior assault on Ms. Cruz. Pinning Ms. Cruz to the bed with his hands around her neck constitutes an extremely serious act of intimate partner violence.

[58] On December 26, when Mr. Dequilla contacted Ms. Cruz from jail and told her he was “coming for you”, I impose a sentence of six months in jail, consecutive. This was a direct threat to his prior domestic partner, whom he had just assaulted the day before and after he was arrested and charged by the police. It is nothing short of chilling.

[59] I cannot emphasize enough the extreme moral culpability of an accused person who is charged with an act of intimate partner violence, who is then ordered by a court to have no contact with a victim, and then who subsequently intentionally and repeatedly violates that order. Women who leave their abusers must know that the justice system will protect them. The right to reasonable bail is premised on the understanding that the accused will respect the court orders placed upon him. Accused persons must acknowledge and agree to abide by these conditions. When that trust is violated, it demonstrates outright contempt for the administration of justice. When a vulnerable victim is then the target of the accused once more, the penalties for these violations must be severe. Specific and general deterrence in these cases takes on paramount importance.

[60] The remainder of the breach charges will be dealt with through concurrent jail sentences, which I will summarize at the conclusion of this judgment.

Attempted Murder In a Domestic Context

[61] In Cunningham, the respondent was found guilty of attempted murder. He planned to kill his former domestic partner after he discovered she was pregnant with his child. After concocting an alibi, he attended her apartment one day unannounced. The victim allowed him to enter, trusting him. When her guard was down, he stabbed her in the back of her neck, narrowly missing arteries and veins. She pretended she was dead, and he left.

[62] The trial judge imposed a sentence of seven years imprisonment. The Crown appealed. The Court of Appeal granted the appeal and increased the sentence to 15 years. Several portions of the Court’s decision bear emphasizing in this sentencing decision concerning the count of attempted murder.

[63] The primary sentencing principles applicable to the crime of attempted murder are denunciation and deterrence. By its nature, the crime carries with it a very high degree of moral culpability, akin to murder itself: see Cunningham at paras. 23 and 26. That is because the victim has not died simply due to good fortune and not the mercy of the offender.

[64] The Court held that the lowest end of the sentencing range for attempted murder in a domestic context should be 8 ½ years (citing R. v. Botelho, 2010 ONCA 497) or nine years (citing R. v. Campbell). The high-end of the range can be life imprisonment: R. v. Kormendy, 2019 ONCA 676, at para. 53. Sentences of 11 to 12 years are not uncommon: see, for example, R. v. McDonald, [2007] O.J. No. 3859; R. v. Champagne, [2002] O.J. No. 4656, cited approvingly at para. 30 of Kormendy.

[65] In Kormendy, the Court of Appeal also emphasized the importance of allowing individuals to end relationships without fear of harassment or violence. That message must be communicated through a “very heavy sentence that makes denunciation and deterrence the overriding considerations”: Kormendy at para. 29; R. v. Boucher, at para. 27; R. v. Denkers.

[66] The attempted murder of Mr. Virtucio and the letters sent by Mr. Dequilla to Ms. Cruz and their mutual friends were attempts by Mr. Dequilla to maintain control over Ms. Cruz even though she wanted their relationship to be over. In Kormendy, the Court of Appeal stressed the need for significant penalties to deter not only the accused from these actions but also others who may resort to violence in response to rejection: see para. 29. I find that Mr. Dequilla’s repeated abusive conduct in the face of not only Ms. Cruz’s clearly stated intention not to rekindle their relationship but the various court orders placed on him prohibiting him from contacting her necessitate a sentence that serves as a stark general and specific deterrent.

[67] Mr. Dequilla admitted in his letter to Mr. Jackson that he intended to kill Mr. Virtucio. The assault itself was callous and brutal, leaving Mr. Virtucio with severe injuries. Additionally, it was committed in the presence of Ms. Cruz, with the explicit intention of sending her a message: should you become involved with other men, they, and you, will suffer. These are aggravating factors.

[68] The context of the relationship between the accused and the victim plays a significant role in sentencing for attempted murder. I rely heavily upon prior authorities that consider the appropriate sentence for this offence in the context of domestic violence. I must consider, of course, that Mr. Dequilla attempted to murder Mr. Virtucio, not Ms. Cruz. Nevertheless, what constitutes “domestic” violence must be considered within the broader context of the offence, including the relationship dynamics between the parties involved: see R. v. S.P., 2013 ONSC 7218, at para. 52.

[69] One prior reported decision involves facts that closely parallel this case. In R. v. Bulat, 2013 ONSC 4513, the accused was in a relationship with Ms. Lui, one of the complainants, for several years until she decided to end the relationship. Following their breakup, the accused choked her. Despite being arrested and released with the condition not to contact her, he kept stalking and harassing her, resulting in multiple rearrests for breaches of court orders.

[70] During this time, he also targeted Mr. Meloche, a friend of Ms. Lui's, and attempted to murder him by striking him with a car. The impact on Mr. Meloche was severe, leading him to suicidal ideations and causing him to refrain from pursuing a relationship with Ms. Lui due to fear of the accused’s potential actions if released from custody. The sentencing court concluded that the accused’s obsessive and controlling behaviour drove him to attempt to murder the victim and eliminate him from his prior intimate partner’s life.

[71] Justice Bondy held that the principles of sentencing respecting domestic violence still apply: see para. 31; see also R. v. Tan, 2008 ONCA 574, at para. 40. He wrote the following at para. 32:

Where an attempted murder is committed in the context of a domestic relationship, the likelihood of lasting psychological trauma to the victim arising from the irrational and obsessive nature of the misconduct is significant and, where present, justifies the imposition of a substantial penalty separate and apart from the issue of protection.

[72] Considering the aggravating and mitigating factors present and the position of the Crown, I sentence Mr. Dequilla to 10 years in prison for the attempted murder of Neil Virtucio.

[73] Mr. Dequilla was bound by yet another term of a release order prohibiting him from being within 100m of anywhere he knew Ms. Cruz was located when he tracked her down with Mr. Virtucio on December 29. This was his fourth breach of such a term. On December 30, when he was found in the back of the car with Ms. Cruz, he violated this term again for his fifth breach.

[74] For these breaches, given the history between the parties, the need to protect victims of intimate partner violence, and the associated violence committed against Mr. Virtucio in Ms. Cruz’s presence, I impose sentences of six months in jail consecutive to each other, but concurrent to the rest of his global sentence.

[75] Mr. Dequilla was also placed on a release order on December 22, 2022, with a condition that he not attend within 50m of anywhere Mr. Virtucio was located. For this breach offence, I impose a concurrent sentence of three months’ custody to the sentence for attempted murder. This term was initially intended to prevent Mr. Dequilla from contacting Mr. Virtucio as he was a witness to one of the prior mischief allegations.

Breaches of Non-Communication Orders While In Custody

[76] January 31, 2023, while in custody, Mr. Dequilla wrote a handwritten letter to his friend, Jason Jackson. While I summarized the letters’ contents previously in this judgment, at this juncture, I emphasize that the letter contained the following statements:

• Regarding Mr. Virtucio: “I put Neil in a coma because he is the one to whisper in her ear, and he deserves a bullet for betraying me.”
• Regarding Ms. Cruz: “I will forgive [Mr. Virtucio] if he asks forgiveness but for Mel, I am done with her unloyalty and double-crossing bitch she is, I will take my kids and live without her”
• “…still love her but this working with the cops to get me to put away I can never forgive, 10 years is what I’m looking at for attempted murder and it kills me to admit what I did was wrong but it kills me more I have no support from Mel, she wants me locked up forever.”
• Mr. Dequilla expresses frustration at Ms. Cruz’s decision to pawn a gold necklace he gave her. He wrote that when he is released, “…she will answer to me where it is, judgement will come and with iron first sinners will be dealt with without mercy I promise this to anyone that betrays me”
• “…she will answer for all she been doing she is the one that breaks my heart and still she is the one to put me in jail”
• “…my kids will grow up without her if she continues to make me suffer. Help her if you can before I am out.”

[77] These excerpts constitute unequivocal threats to Ms. Cruz and were an attempt to intimidate her. The message from Mr. Dequilla is unambiguous: Ms. Cruz betrayed him, as did Mr. Virtucio. Unlike Mr. Virtucio, however, for whom Mr. Dequilla could consider forgiveness, he was “done” with Ms. Cruz and prepared to take his kids and “live without her.” He would “never forgive” her.

[78] He admits he attempted to kill Mr. Virtucio and promises judgment will come for anyone else who betrayed him with an “iron fist” and “sinners will be dealt with without mercy.” His children will grow up without Ms. Cruz if she continues her misguided path of making him “suffer.” He told Mr. Jackson to “help her if you can before I am out.”

[79] On February 2, 2023, Mr. Dequilla wrote another handwritten letter to Ms. Vanessa Veloz, Mr. Jackson’s romantic partner. He directed Ms. Veloz to tell Ms. Cruz to “stop cooperating with the cops to put me away” and stated that Ms. Cruz was the “prime witness to the beating of Neil.” He asked Ms. Veloz to “please explain to her, talk to her, to get into her head hate me but don’t let me be missing my kids growing up.”

[80] These letters are a terrifying example of witness intimidation in the context of a case of intimate partner violence. Their message is that Mr. Dequilla will never forgive Ms. Cruz for her betrayal. He will make her suffer, as did Mr. Virtucio, if she does not cease that betrayal. He asks Mr. Jackson to “help her” before he is out of jail. This comment is a thinly veiled request to have Mr. Jackson contact Ms. Cruz and ensure she understands the threat to her life he is making so she will stop cooperating with the police.

[81] Only days after he wrote a letter to Mr. Jackson, Mr. Dequilla wrote to Ms. Veloz and instructed her to speak to Ms. Cruz and continue the attempts at witness intimidation.

[82] Nearly three weeks later, on February 27, 2023, Mr. Dequilla submitted a handwritten letter meant to be delivered directly to Ms. Cruz. The letter alternates between expressions of love for her to anger at her for wanting him in jail and separating him from his children. What comes across is the obsession of a controlling man who is unwilling to leave his former partner alone to live her life as she now sees fit.

[83] He referred to Ms. Cruz as “my love” and “beautiful,” but also that by putting him “inside” (meaning jail), he hit “rock bottom.” He promises to control his anger but that she will be his “only wife forever.” He reminds her that “it is all on you to determine how long I am here” and “[m]aybe you should see a lawyer what you need to do to get me out.” He included his own lawyer’s name and phone number.

[84] These comments must be read alongside Mr. Dequilla's letters to Mr. Jackson and Ms. Veloz. There can be no doubt that Mr. Dequilla’s message to Ms. Cruz is that he will never let her go, and unless she takes steps to get him out of jail, there will be consequences.

[85] On March 3, 2023, he wrote another handwritten letter to Ms. Cruz. In this letter, he expresses his love for her and their children and his desire to stay together as a family in the future. He confesses that he was told by the police the night before that he was not permitted to contact her and was charged with two more offences due to his prior letters. Yet he cannot stop because he is “still in love” with her.

[86] The letters constitute an attempt to obstruct justice. As stated by the British Columbia Court of Appeal in R. v. Hall, 2001 BCCA 74, at para. 12:

Obstruction of justice or attempting to obstruct justice strikes at our system of a lawful society. The message must be clear that this type of interference with the community system for handling criminal offences will not be tolerated. It is for this reason that the courts must act firmly to express society's disapproval and denunciation of such conduct.

[87] Similar comments were expressed by the Ontario Court of Appeal in R. v. Hopwood, 2020 ONCA 608, at paras. 22-24:

I begin with the principle that efforts by accused persons (whether directly or through others) to interfere with witnesses strike at the very heart of our justice system.

Against that backdrop, interference with persons who are prepared to be witnesses only serves to exacerbate the problem. It must be clear to all accused persons that attempting to interfere in any way with a witness represents conduct that will not be tolerated.

While there may be other conduct that would constitute an attempt to obstruct justice that would warrant a minor sentence of the type that was imposed here, attempting to interfere with a witness does not fall into that category. Indeed, I would say that, as a general proposition, attempting to interfere with a witness should normally attract a penitentiary term of imprisonment.

[88] Prior reported decisions have imposed sentences as high as two years for conduct constituting obstruction. For example, in R. v. Thuraisingam, 1997 CarswellOnt 6369, [1997] O.J. No. 5424 (Gen Div); aff’d in 1997 CarswellOnt 3244, [1997] O.J. No. 3593, the accused told the victim he would kill him if he went to court, and assaulted him one evening to demonstrate he was capable of violence. The victim did not suffer any injuries. Justice Paisley held that such a crime “strikes at the roots of justice” and must be deterred.

[89] Mr. Dequilla was not deterred after being arrested, charged, subject to a bail order, or finally being detained and ordered to have no contact with Ms. Cruz. Court orders meant nothing to him. He continued his threats of violence and intimidation from jail. He promised never to stop, never to leave Ms. Cruz alone, and to punish anyone who betrayed him when he was finally released from custody.

[90] This can only be characterized as an egregious case of an attempt to obstruct justice and witness intimidation. His conduct cuts the very soul of the administration of justice. The psychological impact on any woman attempting to escape her violent former domestic partner and facing threats of this nature will be profound. I repeat, once more, that women who choose to leave an abusive relationship and cooperate with the authorities must know that they will be safe. Ms. Cruz, tragically, had been both a victim of and a witness to Mr. Dequilla’s capacity for violent retribution, making these threats all the more horrifying.

[91] The sentence for each of these counts is one year imprisonment. Lengthier sentences may well have been justified, but for the guilty pleas. Usually, I would have imposed consecutive sentences for these offences. They were separate crimes from the count of attempted murder and demanded their own punishment. But as I will explain, the Crown’s overall position is fair and reasonable. Thus, I impose concurrent sentences.

Other Offences

[92] I impose 15 days in jail for the counts of mischief relating to Ms. Rivero’s phone and Ms. Cruz’s clock. For the earlier breaches of a “no contact” order on the undertaking Mr. Dequilla gave to a peace officer, I impose a 30-day jail sentence concurrently on both counts.

Totality

[93] A sentencing court must ensure that consecutive sentences for multiple offences do not result in a cumulative sentence that exceeds the overall culpability of the offender: see R. v. Ahmed, 2017 ONCA 76, at paras. 79-85. Mr. Dequilla is still a young man, and his rehabilitation should be given weight.

[94] His commitment to his rehabilitation while in pre-sentence detention is also commendable. He completed many courses, some of which addressed anger management, handling emotional difficulty, and spiritual enlightenment. Mr. Dequilla has taken advantage of his time in custody to focus on his rehabilitation. Not all inmates demonstrate the same level of commitment. He should be encouraged for his efforts.

[95] Notably, he has shown insight into his demons and what he must do to prevent future offending. I accept his genuine expressions of remorse for what his actions put Ms. Cruz, Mr. Virtucio, and the rest of his family through.

[96] There is a 20-year gap in his criminal record from 2000 to 2021 when he was first found guilty of assaulting Ms. Cruz. During that time, he appeared to have been living a pro-social life.

[97] But there is no escaping the devastating nature of these offences and the flagrant, repeated disregard for court orders. I am also highly troubled that he completed the PAR program less than two years before these crimes. If an offender does not learn from rehabilitative programming intended to address the harms associated with intimate partner violence and then commits that very same class of offences in the future, courts should rightly view with skepticism what role rehabilitation should play in sentencing that offender again.

[98] However, Mr. Dequilla has satisfied me that he will continue focusing on rehabilitation as he serves out a penitentiary sentence. Furthermore, as noted by the Supreme Court of Canada in R. v. Bissonnette, 2022 SCC 23, “every offender should have the opportunity to reform,” and the “inherent worth of every individual” must be respected when fashioning a fit and appropriate sentence: see para. 87.

[99] The Crown’s position is extraordinarily fair and appropriately balances the competing interests in this case. Indeed, a sentence as high as 13 years in this case might have otherwise been appropriate. Ms. Langdon’s position demonstrated commendable insight into Mr. Dequilla’s circumstances, his proven efforts at his rehabilitation, and the great value in sparing Ms. Cruz, her daughter and Mr. Virtucio from having to re-live the terror they experienced during what would have been a lengthy trial. Experience teaches everyone involved in the criminal justice system that putting victims through a trial can take a tremendous toll on them after they have started to rebuild their lives and put the trauma of violent crimes behind them.

[100] Therefore, I impose a global sentence of 10 years of incarceration due to the early guilty plea and other mitigating factors I have described.

Credit for Pre-Sentence Custody

[101] Mr. Dequilla has been in custody since his December 30, 2022 arrest. As of today’s date, he has accumulated 494 days of pre-sentence custody. I credit him with 741 days, employing the standard 1.5:1 credit: see Criminal Code section 719(3.1) and R. v. Summers, 2014 SCC 26.

[102] I must also consider the very difficult conditions Mr. Dequilla has been facing at the Toronto East Detention Centre (“TEDC”) while awaiting the completion of this case. In R. v. Duncan, 2016 ONCA 754, at para. 6, the court held that "in the appropriate circumstances, particularly harsh presentence incarceration conditions can provide mitigation apart from and beyond the 1.5 credit referred to in s. 719(3.1)" of the Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46. To attract enhanced credit on this ground"the court will consider both the conditions of the presentence incarceration and the impact of those conditions on the accused."

[103] In R. v. Rajmoolie, 2020 ONCA 791, Justice Lauwers, in dissent, [4] commented on “the notoriety of problems originating in the Toronto East Detention Centre which has been the object of sustained judicial criticism in recent years”: see para. 45. Lockdowns due to staffing shortages are a recurring problem. During lockdowns, “inmates experience limited access to telephones, showers and other basic services.”

[104] Mr. Dequilla informed me that he had experienced regular overcrowding in his cell and periodic lockdowns.

[105] I grant Mr. Dequilla an additional credit of four months (120 days) for these conditions.

Conclusion

[106] I sent Mr. Dequilla to a global sentence of 10 years less credit for pre-sentence custody (741 days Summers + 120 days Duncan). The remaining sentence is, therefore, 2,789 days (or slightly less than 7 years and 8 months). I apportion the pre-sentence custody and future custody according to the chart attached to these reasons. I have changed sentences to run concurrent instead of consecutive to reflect how the totality principle should be implemented to reflect the final appropriate sentence. [5]

[107] I order that Mr. Dequilla have no direct or indirect contact with Melanie Cruz while in custody except under the terms of a family court order made after today’s date: Criminal Code section 743.21.

[108] He is prohibited from possessing weapons and ammunition under section 109 of the Criminal Code for life.

[109] A DNA order is granted for all eligible offences, including attempted murder.

[110] I waive the imposition of the victim fine surcharge on all counts.

Charge(s) | Disposition 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