A Rochester man will spend two years behind bars for assisting to dump the body of Randy Lopushinshy.
In St. Albert Provincial Court Sept. 23, Judge Clifton Purvis sentenced Billy Joe Deren, 37, to two years in jail. Sitting in the prisoner’s box, Deren pleaded guilty to offering indignity to human remains, while a count of accessory to murder was withdrawn by the Crown.
Lopushinsky, 56, of Redwater, disappeared Saturday, Jan. 23, and was reported missing by his family Jan. 26. His 2007 Ford Escape was recovered in a rural area northwest of Westlock on Sunday, Jan. 30, while his body was recovered in a wooded area near Long Lake on Feb. 17.
On Saturday, Feb. 13, Jon Irwin Ward, 41, of Thorhild, was charged with second-degree murder, while Deren was arrested and charged on Feb. 16.
Purvis said he would have looked at a three-year sentence, but considered Deren’s efforts to get his life on track while in jail as a mitigating factor.
“(The facts) cry out for a penitentiary sentence,” Purvis said. “There’s no science to measure the misery caused by this act.
“(He left the body) in the woods exposed to the ravages of animals and weather.”
Crown prosecutor Greg Gudelot asked for two years, while defence counsel Ted Croll asked for time served and a period of probation.
Several members of Lopushinsky’s family including his mother, sisters and daughters provided victim impact statements prior to sentencing.
“Losing your father to murder is probably the worst thing in the world,” said Lopushinsky’s youngest daughter Serena Lopushinsky.
Deren sat with his head down for much of the time as the statements were read. He later apologized to family while addressing court.
“I’m truly sorry for the loss they’ve suffered,” Deren said. “Please accept my apology and know that I have to live with the guilt.”
In Fort Saskatchewan Provincial Court July 21, Jon Irwin Ward, of Thorhild, was sentenced to seven years in jail for manslaughter in connection with Lopushinsky’s death.
Court heard that on Jan. 22 Lopushinsky met Ward for drinks at his house. Ward later took Lopushinsky to Deren’s house where he bought $80 worth of methamphetamine.
The pair returned to Ward’s house where Lopushinsky used the meth he had bought.
According to Ward, Lopushinsky punched him in the head and pulled a knife on him. Ward then hit Lopushinsky over the head with a piece of metal pipe, knocking him to the ground.
Ward returned with an axe and killed Lopushinsky with a blow to the head. He then phoned Deren to ask for his help to dump the body.
The next day the pair loaded Lopushinky’s body in the back of Lopushinsky’s mother’s 2007 Ford Escape and drove to a wooded area near Long Lake and dumped the body.
They later ditched the car in Westlock County and attempted to light it on fire, causing some damage to the vehicle. DNA testing matched blood found in the car to Lopushinsky.
Deren, who has been in jail since his arrest on Feb. 16, was credited with 11 months pre-trial custody. He was also ordered to provide police with a sample of his DNA.
