Mother forgives killer who pleaded guilty to son’s murder
More than a decade after participating in the brutal torture death of a city man, Calgarian Sheldon Worme pleaded guilty Wednesday to a reduced charge of second-degree murder.
Worme, 34, sat emotionless in the prisoner’s box as Crown prosecutor Jonathan Hak detailed his crime and presented photos of the scene where Daniel Levesque was slain and his subsequent autopsy.
Levesque’s mother, Linda, quietly wiped away tears, covering her mouth as pictures of her son’s badly injured and lifeless body were displayed on a courtroom screen.
Worme had been charged with first-degree murder in the June 29, 2008, death of Levesque, who was attacked in his Braeside home by Worme and two other men, Aaron Lee Stevens and Derek Campeau.
The trio had gone to the residence to drink, but instead decided to rob Levesque, dragging him to his basement and repeatedly beating him with tools, fists and feet, and stabbing him.
Hak said that according to pathologist Dr. Sam Andrews, the victim did not die quickly.
“Dr. Andrews concluded that ‘in totality, all of the injuries sustained by the decedent would not have been immediately fatal; however, untreated, they caused death,’” Hak told Justice Willie deWit.
The Court of Queen’s Bench judge heard a joint submission by Hak and defence counsel Tonii Roulston for an automatic life sentence with no parole eligibility for a minimum of 15 years.
Worme, who was arrested Jan. 29, 2009, after confessing his involvement to an undercover police officer posing as the head of a criminal organization, would be eligible for full parole in a little more than five years if deWit accepts the proposal.
DeWit heard victim-impact statements from Levesque’s still grieving mother and sister.
Linda Levesque said despite the brutality of the crime, she has forgiven those who took her son’s life.
“Through God’s grace and the loving support of family and friends, I’m making progress,” she told court.
“By allowing Daniel’s tragic death to plow me under, I would be relinquishing the control of my life to those who took his,” she said.
“I refuse to give in to this.” She said her faith has helped her deal with her son’s murder.
“Because of this powerful gift I have come to forgive those who took our Daniel,” Linda Levesque said.
“You have extinguished the life of his body, but not of his spirit … I forgive you, Sheldon, and pray that this forgiveness will free your heart to know our Heavenly Father’s mercy, love and healing.”
Roulston told deWit her client is sorry for his actions.
“When she said ‘I forgive you Sheldon,’ I could see him shrinking in his seat and was very uncomfortable, and in my view (it) appeared to be a show of remorse,” Roulston said.
She said Worme is deeply aware of the grief he caused the family of his victim, including Levesque’s two children.
“Mr. Worme does understand he has taken the life of a father, a son and a brother,” she said.
Quoting from a presentencing report on Worme’s Aboriginal background, Roulston noted the offender indicated his sorrow.
“Sheldon wishes it never happened and he made different choices.”
According to the facts read in by Hak, Worme initially told Campeau he did not want to rob Levesque, but when the attack commenced he joined in.
Before deWit adjourned his sentencing decision to next Wednesday, Worme addressed court, telling Levesque’s parents he was “extremely sorry” for the grief he caused them, their children and their grandchildren.
“Thanks for your forgiveness,” he said.
“Thank you, Sheldon,” Linda Levesque said from the courtroom gallery.
Campeau and Stevens, who were convicted of manslaughter, received sentences of life and 14 years respectively.
Worme had earlier been convicted by a jury, but the Court of Appeal ordered a new trial.