SUPEIOR COURT OF JUSTICE

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

v.

DAVID HOWE

REASONS FOR SENTENCE

BEFORE THE HONOURABLE REGIONAL SENIOR JUSTICE M.K. FUERST

on May 8, 2018,

at NEWMARKET, Ontario

APPEARANCES:

J. Pearson Counsel for the Crown

R. Gregor Counsel for David Howe

TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2018

REASONS FOR SENTENCE

Fuerst J.: (Orally)

David Howe pleaded guilty to two counts of first degree murder. The victims were both women with whom he had been romantically involved.

The agreed facts are set out in detail in Exhibit 1, the Agreed Statement of Facts.

In summary, on December 23rd, 2013, Mr. Howe stabbed 35-year-old Haima Persaud to death with a knife while she was a passenger in a car driven by him. He prevented her from leaving the car during the attack.

It was specifically admitted that Mr. Howe murdered Ms. Persaud while forcibly confining her, and so committed first degree murder.

After murdering Ms. Persaud, Mr. Howe went to the home of 42-year-old Colleen Yip. Immediately upon entering her residence after she answered the door, Mr. Howe cut Ms. Yip’s throat using the same knife with which he murdered Ms. Persaud.

It is specifically admitted that Mr. Howe planned and deliberated Ms. Yip’s murder, and so committed first degree murder.

Both Ms. Persaud and Ms. Yip bled to death from their wounds.

Mr. Howe disposed of the knife and other items that might have linked him to the murders.

However, on December 24th, 2013, he turned himself in to the police.

The sentence for first degree murder is mandatory under the provisions of the Criminal Code. It is appropriate, however, to make brief reference to the Victim Impact Statements and to Mr. Howe’s remarks in the courtroom today.

The six Victim Impact Statements eloquently expressed that family and friends of Ms. Persaud and Ms. Yip have been left to serve their own life sentences by the loss of life of two vital, loved and loving members of the community in such a brutal way. As one statement put it, it is as though a tornado went through their lives changing their worlds forever. There are holes in their hearts that will never truly heal.

Mr. Howe expressed today a recognition of the immeasurable harm that his selfish acts, born of anger, have caused so many. His guilty pleas will not restore Ms. Persaud and Ms. Yip to those who love them. But, I accept that his guilty pleas are a recognition of the tremendous wrong that he did to Ms. Persaud, to Ms. Yip, to their families and friends, and to the community at large.

First degree murder is the most serious offence known to our criminal law. It carries with it a sentence of life imprisonment, albeit with the prospect of parole consideration many years in the future. It is an entirely just sentence when lives are taken in the cruel and callous way that was the case for Ms. Persaud and Ms. Yip.

Mr. Howe, please stand.

For the first degree murder of Haimwanti Persaud, I sentence you to life imprisonment with no parole eligibility for 25 years.

For the first degree murder of Chi-Ling Yip, I sentence you to life imprisonment with no eligibility for parole for 25 years, concurrent.

The sentences began to run, concurrently, on December 24th, 2013.

On both counts I impose a Section 109 weapons prohibition order for life and a DNA order.

You may be seated.

...DISCUSSIONS WITH COUNSEL

Under Section 743.21 of the Criminal Code, I order that Mr. Howe have no communication with the immediate family members of Ms. Persaud and Ms. Yip, except through counsel.

FORM 2

CERTIFICATE OF TRANSCRIPT (SUBSECTION 5(2))

Evidence Act

I, Tracey Beatty, certify* that this document is a true and accurate transcript of the recording of R. v. David Howe in the Superior Court of Justice held at 50 Eagle Street West, Newmarket, Ontario, on May 8, 2108 taken from Recording No. 4911_402_20180508

_085706_30_FUERSTM.dcr which has been certified by T. Marshall in Form 1.

Tracey Beatty, ACT ID#7742785329

May 30, 2018

Transcript Ordered: May 11, 2018

Transcript Completed: May 30, 2018

Ordering Party Notified: May 30, 2018

[*This certification does not apply to these Reasons for Sentence which were judicially edited)