The mother of two boys from Saint John, who were fatally stabbed by their father last year, expressed that no legal sentence can bring back her sons, whom she described as the greatest joy in her life. Following the sentencing of Roman Kamyshnyy in the New Brunswick Court of King’s Bench, his ex-wife released a statement stating that the court proceedings cannot alleviate the profound loss of her children and the enduring grief she will carry with her forever.
Kamyshnyy, aged 46, received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for 25 years after being found guilty by a jury of two counts of first-degree murder in the tragic deaths of his 10 and 17-year-old sons. Justice Darrell Stephenson emphasized that the sentencing was mandated by the Criminal Code, with both charges requiring concurrent sentences. He expressed the limitations of his judicial authority and refrained from engaging further with Kamyshnyy during the courtroom proceedings.
The judge highlighted the heinous nature of Kamyshnyy’s actions, attributing his motive to vengeance against his ex-wife. The trial revealed the gruesome details of how Kamyshnyy meticulously planned and executed the murders of his children in a brutal manner to inflict maximum pain on his former spouse.
Witness A, Kamyshnyy’s ex-wife, who had divorced him just two months before the tragic incident, was away in Ottawa on the day of the killings. Kamyshnyy stabbed his sons multiple times in their apartment, leading to a violent struggle that was heard by neighbors and captured in a 911 call played during the trial.
Prosecutor Elaina Campbell described the betrayal inflicted upon the boys by their own father as of epic proportions, emphasizing the devastating impact on the community. The murders were portrayed as a direct assault on the community’s responsibility to safeguard the well-being of children.
Kamyshnyy, maintaining he had no recollection of the events, received the imposed sentence without displaying any visible reaction. The conditions of his sentence include restrictions on contact with his ex-wife, submission of a DNA sample, prohibition from possessing firearms or weapons, and payment of a victim fine surcharge.
Several victim impact statements were submitted to the court, painting a picture of the profound and lasting impact of the tragedy on the victims’ families, the community, and all those involved. Kamyshnyy’s ex-wife, through her lawyer Mel Norton, expressed her gratitude for the accountability of the perpetrator while emphasizing the need to remember her sons for the vibrant lives they led rather than the tragic circumstances of their deaths.
Witness A’s family members described the deep trauma caused by the murders, highlighting the enduring scars left by such a horrific act while cherishing the precious memories of happiness and love shared with the boys. The profound grief and trauma experienced by the families and community members underscored the irrevocable impact of the tragic loss.
The mother of the boys expressed her gratitude to the supportive individuals and professionals who aided her during the darkest moments of her life. She vowed to honor her sons’ memory by carrying forward their legacy and finding the strength to move ahead while keeping them close to her heart.
