A B.C. man who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in an Abbotsford man’s death will serve 20 years in prison before eligibility for parole, a B.C. Supreme Court judge has ruled.
Justice Dev Dley said Kevin Percy Wesley lured Christopher Hood to Clearbrook Park in the early morning hours of July 5, 2021.
“He lured him with the express intention of killing him. Mr. Wesley came armed with a knife and a homemade garrotte made of guitar string,” Dley said in the July 5 ruling released July 25.
“It was an unprovoked, planned, deliberate, and vicious attack," Dley said.
“It is apparent that the community and Mr. Hood's family has lost a cherished and loved person,” the judge continued. “There are no words or comments that are going to provide appropriate solace to the family or to the community.”
Hood was 45 years old and supported a family.
Dley said Wesley approached Hood from behind and attempted to strangle him with the wire; however, the wire broke, but Wesley carried on and stabbed Hood some 19 times.
“At one point during the attack, Mr. Hood managed to take possession of the knife, but Mr. Wesley overpowered him, took the knife, and continued to stab Mr. Hood,” Dley said.
Wesley then watched Hood die.
“He then went home to his residence and returned with an aerosol silicone spray and a barbecue lighter,” Dley said. “He attempted to remove his DNA from Mr. Hood's body by burning Mr. Hood's face and hands."
The judge said police found “chilling and revealing” journal entries in Wesley's room.
“Mr. Wesley viewed himself as a budding serial killer with the ultimate goal of becoming an assassin,” Dley said. “His entries emphasized that he had completed his first killing and he seemed to be en route to his stated career goal of becoming an assassin."
The court heard the journals revealed his interest in serial killers.
"He expressed his admiration for the killers who were responsible for the mass shootings at the Columbine High School in 1999,” the judge said.
The sentence came after a joint submission to the court by the Crown prosecutors and defence lawyers.
