WARNING: This story references allegations of child abuse.
A judge will announce the outcome of a murder trial involving a couple accused in the death of a 12-year-old boy, along with claims of torture against his younger brother, on May 5. These court proceedings have been ongoing in Ontario since mid-September.
Becky Hamber, 46, and Brandy Cooney, 44, from Burlington face charges related to the older boy’s death in 2022. They are also charged with torturing and confining his younger brother. Both women have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges concerning the boys who were under their care.
The trial took place in Milton beginning in mid-September before Superior Court Justice Clayton Conlan, who remarked on how “lengthy and difficult” the process has been. Closing arguments concluded in March.
On Friday, Cooney participated virtually from the Vanier Centre for Women jail to find out when the verdict would be delivered. Hamber did not attend. The court heard that Conlan plans to announce his decision at 9 a. m. ET and provide a written ruling afterward. He was absent during Friday’s session.
LISTEN | Breaking down the trial’s closing arguments:
Ottawa Morning6:37Closing arguments wrap in the Milton trial on death of Ottawa boy
CBC’s Justin Chandler has been covering the trial and breaks down the closing arguments on both sides.
The deceased boy, L. L., was from Ottawa but had lived with Hamber, Cooney, and his brother J. L., since 2017. CBC is using initials for the Indigenous boys due to a standard publication ban regarding their identities.
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L. L. is seen in his bedroom wearing a wetsuit in this photo dated March 19, 2022 (Ontario Superior Court in Milton).
The defense argues that neither woman intended any harm towards the boys; rather they claim they did everything possible given inadequate support from Children’s Aid Society or medical professionals for these children. In his closing statement Hamer’s attorney Monte Mac Gregor referred to both brothers as “broken,” stating they exhibited violent behavior towards themselves at times.
He noted some parenting tactics employed by Cooney and Hamber-such as putting wetsuits on them-were “questionable,” but insisted children’s aid workers knew about it all along.
Mac Gregor alongside Kim Edward representing Cooney suggested there may have been an electrolyte imbalance linked potentially tied back into a rare eating disorder concerning L. L. Diving further into her closing remarks Edward acknowledged her client “probably” should’ve sought hospital care for L. L., yet did not follow through with action however she maintained if they truly wanted him gone there wouldn’t have been any calls for help made after witnessing how quiet he became prior passing away.“In light everything mentioned here…murder doesn’t apply,”she said firmly.
If you’re affected by this report you can look for mental health support through resources available within your province or territory. If you’re facing immediate danger or fear for your safety-or anyone else’s-please call emergency services at 911..
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Text Messages Considered Evidence
Over seven months, dozens of witnesses testified during the trial, including social service workers, health professionals, educators, and police officers. Hamber, Cooney, and J. L., now aged 14, also provided testimony over several days. The evidence presented included thousands of deleted text messages retrieved by police, hours of audio recordings as well as numerous images taken from security cameras that monitored the boys. The Crown contends that Hamber and Cooney harbored hatred towards the boys based on text messages where they used offensive language to describe them. In her closing argument, lawyer Kelli Frew claimed that they “abused, tortured and starved these boys.” She argued that they isolated L. L. and J. L. from their community and medical assistance while L. L.’s health deteriorated – ultimately leading to his death from malnutrition and hypothermia. An October testimony from Ontario’s deputy chief forensic pathologist indicated that while he could not determine an exact cause of death during L. L.’s autopsy; he couldn’t rule out causes like hypothermia or cardiac arrest due to severe malnourishment. The Crown asserted that because L. L. died while being unlawfully confined in their home’s basement by Cooney and Hamber; what would typically be considered second-degree murder should instead be treated as first-degree murder.He noted some parenting tactics employed by Cooney and Hamber-such as putting wetsuits on them-were “questionable,” but insisted children’s aid workers knew about it all along.
Mac Gregor alongside Kim Edward representing Cooney suggested there may have been an electrolyte imbalance linked potentially tied back into a rare eating disorder concerning L. L. Diving further into her closing remarks Edward acknowledged her client “probably” should’ve sought hospital care for L. L., yet did not follow through with action however she maintained if they truly wanted him gone there wouldn’t have been any calls for help made after witnessing how quiet he became prior passing away.“In light everything mentioned here…murder doesn’t apply,”she said firmly.
If you’re affected by this report you can look for mental health support through resources available within your province or territory. If you’re facing immediate danger or fear for your safety-or anyone else’s-please call emergency services at 911..
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