The mother of two boys in Saint John, tragically stabbed to death by their father, expressed that no legal sentence could ever replace her sons, whom she described as the greatest joy in her life. Following the sentencing of Roman Kamyshnyy to life in prison without parole for 25 years for the first-degree murder of the two boys, aged 10 and 17, his ex-wife conveyed in a statement that the loss of her children and the enduring grief are beyond the reach of any courtroom judgment.
The judge, Darrell Stephenson, emphasized that the sentencing was automatic per the Criminal Code, with both murder charges requiring concurrent sentences. He remarked on the gravity of Kamyshnyy’s actions, labeling his motive as vengeance, a sentiment echoed by the jurors present during sentencing. The court session witnessed powerful statements highlighting the impact of the crime on the victims’ family and the community.
During the trial, evidence revealed Kamyshnyy’s calculated plan to harm his children as a means of hurting his ex-wife, whom he had divorced just two months prior. The violent nature of the murders, where Kamyshnyy stabbed both sons multiple times, was detailed in court proceedings. Crown prosecutor Elaina Campbell described the betrayal as “epic,” emphasizing the devastating repercussions on the community and individuals involved.
Kamyshnyy, maintaining memory loss of the events and having attempted suicide post-crime, showed no reaction to the imposed sentence, which also included specific conditions. The court ordered him to have no contact with certain individuals, provide a DNA sample, relinquish firearms, pay a victim fine surcharge, and banned any possibility of an appeal.
Numerous victim impact statements were submitted, underlining the profound loss experienced by family members, friends, and the community. The mother of the boys, through her lawyer, emphasized the need to remember her sons for their vibrant lives rather than the tragic circumstances of their deaths. Witness A’s family members conveyed the lasting trauma and the enduring impact on their lives, emphasizing the treasured memories of the love and joy shared with the boys.
The mother expressed gratitude for the support received and vowed to honor her sons’ memories while moving forward with them always in her heart. The community continues to grieve and rebuild, standing united against such heinous acts of violence.
