A 14-year-old boy who confessed to brutally taking the life of a senior in Pickering, Ont., in May 2025 during a random and senseless attack spoke up in an Oshawa courtroom on Tuesday to express his remorse.
Now 15, the boy, dressed in a navy pin-striped three-piece suit and black glasses, with handcuffs on his wrists and leg shackles around his ankles, was allowed to address the court at the end of his sentencing hearing. He unfolded a piece of white-lined paper and read aloud from a statement he had prepared while family and friends of the victim, Eleanor Doney, listened closely.
“After months of thinking about this situation, I’ve come to understand how serious my actions were and how much pain I caused,” said the boy, referred to as A. S., whose identity is protected by a publication ban under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA).
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“I’m truly sorry for all the terrible things I have done. I had no right to commit that awful act,” A. S. stated.
“What I can do now is learn from this experience, recognize my mistakes, and work toward change. Moving forward, I will strive to improve myself and pray for guidance to become a better person despite my flaws.”
A. S. pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in April. He admitted that on May 29, 2025, around 3 p. m., he approached 83-year-old Eleanor Doney as she was raking leaves outside her home on Lynn Heights Drive. After talking with her briefly, he stabbed her multiple times as she tried to escape.
The agreed statement of facts read during his plea revealed that Doney sustained eight stab wounds across her lower back, hands, arm, face, and neck. The most severe injury was a stab wound to her neck that severed her carotid artery.
The court learned that A. S., who has been held since his arrest on May 29, 2025, shows ongoing signs of being fixated on themes related to violence and harm towards others as well as an unusual interest in serial killers.
The Crown prosecutor along with defense counsel informed Superior Court Justice Lisa Wannamaker that they both believe the maximum youth sentence for first-degree murder should be imposed on A. S., who entered his guilty plea in April regarding Eleanor Doney’s death.
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The two sides disagreed about whether A. S. should receive credit for time spent in custody before sentencing. Under the YCJA guidelines, the longest possible sentence is six years detained followed by four years under community supervision. The judge has discretion over whether or not credit for time served prior is granted.
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Get breaking Canada news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won’t miss a trending story. Initially Assistant Crown attorney Tammy D’Eri indicated plans for seeking an adult sentence due to the severity of this case involving A. S. However, she later informed Justice Wannamaker that recent Supreme Court rulings about another youth named I. M. meant A. S.’s situation no longer qualified him for an adult sentence. The Supreme Court ruled that when applying YCJA standards for imposing adult sentences there are two elements requiring proof beyond reasonable doubt by the Crown: one being if the young individual possessed maturity and moral judgment similar to an adult at the time they committed their crime. D’Eri mentioned after reviewing psychological evaluations concerning A. S., they found they could not prove that aspect needed. Doney was known as a caring mother and grandmother who had retired after many years teaching kindergarten; she had been married for over six decades and served as her husband’s primary caregiver when she lost her life. The Crown pointed out while A. S. qualifies for participation in IRCS (Intensive Rehabilitation Custody and Supervision) – intended for youths facing significant mental health challenges – due consideration must also be given because this offense ranks among those with extreme seriousness within legal contexts involved here. Story continues below D’Eri explained “You may decide not grant any credit related towards presentence custody.” She noted one doctor suggested it seems like A. S. lacks insight into why he acted violently against another person or understanding what consequences arise from such behavior altogether implying more intervention would likely be required moving forward.”.. .</e”}Source link
