A request by one of the Surrey Six murderers to halt his convictions has been denied by a B.C. Supreme Court judge. Justice Martha Devlin dismissed Cody Haevischer’s claims of police and corrections officials’ misconduct not meeting the threshold for a stay of proceedings. Consequently, Haevischer’s six murder convictions and one conspiracy conviction have been formally recorded, leading to a life sentence.
Haevischer, convicted in 2014 for the Surrey Six killings, sought to halt the proceedings, citing police misbehavior and mistreatment in custody as an abuse of process. Despite his plea for a reduction to a 25-year sentence, Devlin only acknowledged his solitary confinement breaching Charter rights, rejecting most of his other claims.
Devlin’s ruling marks the end of a protracted legal battle stemming from the 2007 murders. Haevischer and co-accused Matthew Johnston faced charges in 2009, with Person X pleading guilty earlier. Following their 2014 convictions and subsequent stay application, the case saw various legal twists before Devlin’s recent decision.
The courtroom, filled with victims’ families, reacted to Devlin’s verdict, with Eileen Mohan, mother of an innocent victim, expressing relief and justice for their loved ones. Devlin highlighted the gravity of the Surrey Six murders amidst gang violence and emphasized the heinous nature of the incident.
The judge meticulously evaluated Haevischer’s allegations of police impropriety and custodial mistreatment as potential abuses of process affecting his fair trial rights. While acknowledging some breaches in Haevischer’s treatment, Devlin ultimately upheld his convictions, noting the unchallenged evidence of his involvement in the brutal killings.
Devlin’s ruling signifies a conclusion to the legal saga surrounding the Surrey Six case, underscoring the challenges and complexities faced in delivering justice for the victims and their families.