The mother of two boys from Saint John tragically killed by their father last year expressed that no legal sentence can bring back her sons, who were the source of her greatest happiness. In a statement following the sentencing of Roman Kamyshnyy to life in prison without parole for 25 years in the New Brunswick Court of King’s Bench, she emphasized that no courtroom outcome can ease the pain of losing her children.
Kamyshnyy, aged 46, was found guilty by a jury in June of two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his 10 and 17-year-old sons. The judge, Justice Darrell Stephenson, mentioned that the imposed sentence was mandated by the Criminal Code, with the requirement that the sentences run concurrently.
Addressing the court, Justice Stephenson expressed the gravity of Kamyshnyy’s actions and the profound impact on those affected, particularly the boys’ mother and her family. The motive behind the crime was revealed to be vengeance, as stated by the judge during the sentencing, which was witnessed by the jury members who convicted Kamyshnyy.
The trial revealed that Kamyshnyy meticulously planned and executed the murders to inflict maximum pain on his ex-wife following their recent divorce. The courtroom heard how he fatally stabbed each of his sons in their apartment, with the elder son putting up a fierce struggle before succumbing to the attack, as documented in a harrowing 911 call.
Crown prosecutor Elaina Campbell described the betrayal suffered by the boys, emphasizing the magnitude of the tragedy caused by Kamyshnyy’s actions. The impact of the murders reverberated throughout the community, leaving a lasting scar on Saint John and its residents, as highlighted by Campbell’s statements.
Kamyshnyy, who testified in court claiming memory loss of the events and attempted suicide after the incident, showed no reaction to the sentencing terms imposed. The conditions of his sentence include restrictions on contact with his ex-wife and her family, a lifetime ban on possessing firearms, and payment of a victim fine surcharge.
Victim impact statements submitted to the court portrayed the deep anguish and trauma experienced by Witness A’s family and the broader community. The mother of the boys conveyed her gratitude for the support received during the ordeal and pledged to honor her sons’ memories as she continues to navigate the profound loss.
The devastating impact of the murders was encapsulated in the reflections of those affected, underscoring the enduring grief and the profound void left by the loss of the young lives. The community’s response reflected a shared commitment to remember the boys for the vibrant lives they lived, rather than the tragic circumstances of their deaths.
