The mother of two boys in Saint John, who were tragically killed by their father last year, expressed that no court sentence can bring back her beloved sons, whom she described as the greatest joy of her life. Roman Kamyshnyy, the boys’ father, was sentenced to life in prison without parole for 25 years following his conviction on two counts of first-degree murder. The sentencing took place in the New Brunswick Court of King’s Bench.
During the sentencing, Justice Darrell Stephenson highlighted that the imposed sentence was mandatory under the Criminal Code, with both murder charges required to be served concurrently. The judge conveyed the limitations of his authority, stating that he felt particularly bound by these constraints on that day.
Kamyshnyy’s actions were described by Justice Stephenson as heinous and vengeful, aimed at inflicting maximum pain on his ex-wife, identified as Witness A. The motive behind the murders was determined to be vengeance, a sentiment echoed by the majority of jurors who attended the sentencing, underscoring the gravity of the crime.
The trial revealed that Kamyshnyy meticulously planned and executed the murders of his children in a gruesome manner to retaliate against his ex-wife. The court heard that Witness A had recently divorced Kamyshnyy and was away at a work conference when the tragic incident occurred.
Crown prosecutor Elaina Campbell emphasized the profound impact of the murders on the community, highlighting the devastating loss and the lasting trauma inflicted on the families, friends, and the wider Saint John community. The court also heard victim impact statements from various individuals affected by the tragedy, all expressing the deep and lasting scars left by the horrific events.
Kamyshnyy, in his statement to the court, claimed memory loss regarding the events of that day and maintained that the actions were not entirely premeditated. Despite his lack of reaction to the sentencing conditions, which included various prohibitions and obligations, the gravity of his crimes was evident throughout the proceedings.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, the victims’ loved ones strive to honor the memories of the two boys and rebuild their lives while carrying the weight of their untimely loss.