The mother of two boys in Saint John who were fatally stabbed by their father last year expressed that no legal sentence can bring back her sons, who were her greatest source of happiness. She conveyed her enduring grief and loss in a statement released following her ex-husband Roman Kamyshnyy’s sentencing at the New Brunswick Court of King’s Bench on Thursday.
Kamyshnyy, aged 46, received a life sentence with no possibility of parole for 25 years after being found guilty by a jury in June of two counts of first-degree murder in the tragic deaths of his 10-year-old and 17-year-old sons. Justice Darrell Stephenson explained that the sentence was mandated by the Criminal Code, with both charges to be served concurrently.
During the sentencing, Justice Stephenson expressed the limitations of his authority as a trial judge and highlighted the severity of Kamyshnyy’s actions, referring to them as acts of horror and depravity that profoundly impacted many lives, especially his ex-wife and her family.
The motive behind Kamyshnyy’s actions was identified by the judge as vengeance, as he sought to inflict maximum harm on his ex-wife following their recent divorce. Evidence presented during the trial revealed the chilling details of Kamyshnyy’s premeditated plan to carry out the murders in a brutal manner.
Crown prosecutor Elaina Campbell emphasized the profound impact of the murders on the community, describing the devastation caused by Kamyshnyy’s actions and the lasting trauma experienced by those affected. Kamyshnyy, in his statement to the court, claimed a lack of recollection of the events and attempted suicide following the incident.
The sentencing included strict conditions for Kamyshnyy, such as no contact with his ex-wife or her family, submission of a DNA sample, prohibition from possessing firearms or weapons, and payment of a victim fine surcharge. The possibility of an appeal was not addressed by his defense lawyer.
Numerous victim impact statements were submitted to the court, reflecting the profound loss and trauma experienced by the victims’ families, the community, and those close to the boys. The mother of the boys expressed gratitude for the support received and emphasized the importance of preserving the memory of her sons as she continues to navigate the aftermath of this tragedy.