Man who ‘set everything in motion’ in torture-homicide gets life sentence
Justin Long pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in beating of Tommy Hoang
The judge asked Jason Long if he wished to address court before announcing a sentence for seconddegree murder in the death of Tommy Hoang.
Long said he would, stood in the prisoner’s box, and looked over his shoulder in time to see Hoang’s mother and her partner march out of the courtroom.
“I was the one who set everything in motion … It spun out of control; (Hoang) fought back,” said Long, a short but wide-shouldered 30year-old, his head shaved to reveal Gothic-styled initials tattooed over his temple.
“Everything” was the fatal stabbing and beating of Hoang, 30, on Feb. 10, 2021.
Hamilton police initially charged four people with first-degree murder. Last January, Long plead guilty to second-degree murder, while
three others plead guilty to manslaughter for their role in the robbery-homicide: Robin Cove, Daniel Holland and Madeleine Peternel.
The others will be sentenced June 3.
Hoang was killed inside Peternel’s Main Street East ground-level apartment. Court heard that Long left the apartment that night “covered” in Hoang’s blood and leaving bloody footprints in the snow.
Long admitted he helped trap Hoang in the apartment and beat him with a metal pipe.
There were signs that Hoang had been tortured. On Wednesday, Justice Paul Sweeny said Long had committed a “horrific and brutal crime” that involved “unspeakable violence.”
Sweeny said Long has an “extensive criminal record” and been “in and out of jail most of his life.”
Crown prosecutor Lisa Ellins said Long had been released from jail Feb. 3, 2021, after serving a sentence for assault causing bodily harm — one week before killing Hoang.
Ellins said Long has a record that included convictions for arson, theft, escaping custody, robbery and weapons offences.
Speaking in court, Long, who is originally from the Maritimes, said he “grew up in prison” and it “f---ed me up.” He said he was 13 “when my brother was murdered … I still carry hate for the one who killed him.”
He added: “Sorry to the (Hoang) family. There’s nothing I can say or do to make the family feel better.”
Outside court, Hoang’s sister, Sophia, told The Spectator that Long’s words simply made her angrier.
“We will never get Tommy back,” she said. “Long and the other three stole him from us.”
Sweeny sentenced Long to a mandatory life sentence and agreed to a joint Crown-defence recommendation of no parole eligibility for 16 years. Long offered a prediction of what that will mean.
“A life sentence is a life sentence,” he said. “I don’t think I’ll ever get out.”