Quinte Consolidated Courthouse in Belleville. (Quinte News File Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber)
Ronald Shorey will have to wait one more day to find out his fate after Justice Robert Scott adjourned his sentencing to go over several additional victim impact statements that were entered Wednesday.
In December 2016, Justice Scott found Shorey guilty of manslaughter in what the Hastings County judge called the ‘needless and tragic death’ of Cindy Sullivan. The 40-year-old Trenton woman was found stabbed to death at Shorey’s home at 29 Adrian Court in Trenton in 2012. During the trial, court heard how it happened during a night of heavy drinking. Court also heard how Shorey and Sullivan, who also lived in the Adrian Court complex were in an ‘unstable relationship’ that consisted of excess drinking. They separated in the days leading up to Sullivan’s death.
Wednesday, court learned a total of 11 victim impact statements are to be presented. It was decided due to a scheduling conflict there wasn’t enough time to present them all so Thursday has been set aside for the impact statements, some of which are expected to be read by family members and contain photos. Three were entered previously and defence lawyer Pieter Kort said they contained statements that would have to be redacted because they were ‘improper and shouldn’t be a part of them.’ An additional eight were submitted to the court that are expected to be edited Wednesday.
Justice Scott said he would like some time to read them over noting that three contained additional information ‘that you wouldn’t want to see in a victim impact statement’ but he was understanding saying this is a difficult matter for most.
Assistant Crown Attorneys Paul Layefsky and Pardeep K. Bhachu along with Kort entered a number of documents including case files, post mortem examination, a pre-sentence report, criminal record and probationary document with services that should be provided to Shorey.
However, it was decided Wednesday to enter the DNA order and firearms prohibition portion of Shorey’s sentencing.
Court is set to resume with victim impact statements and sentencing Thursday at 9:30 a.m.
