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Sister of slain man speaks out on system

With one of the men involved in the murder of Randy Lopushinsky released from prison, his sister wants victims to know they need to communicate with the Crown before sentencing.
The sister of Randy Lopushinsky, who was murdered in 2016, is speaking out following the release of one of two men implciated in the murder being be released from prison.
The sister of Randy Lopushinsky, who was murdered in 2016, is speaking out following the release of one of two men implciated in the murder being be released from prison.

With one of the men involved in the murder of Randy Lopushinsky released from prison, his sister wants victims to know they need to communicate with the Crown before sentencing.

Lopushinsky, 56, was murdered in January 2016 and the man charged with the killing, Jon Irwin Ward of Thorhild, was sentenced to seven years in prison in Fort Saskatchewan Provincial Court last July.

A Rochester man, Billy Joe Deren, 38, was sentenced in September to two years in prison, minus 11 months time served, for helping to dispose of the body. A count of accessory to murder was withdrawn.

According to court documents, Deren’s statutory release date was slated for June 14, 2017.

Last week Bonnie Lopushinsky contacted the Westlock News to comment on the case and offer a warning to other families who may find themselves in a similar situation.

She says that the Crown prosecutor never discussed with her family why he was only seeking two years for Deren and they were taken by surprise during his sentencing.

“I think that it’s important for other families to know to have the pre-discussion with the Crown prosecutor before he stands in front of a judge,” she said.

Randy Lopushinsky originally hailed from the Thorhild area and had two siblings, three daughters and four grandchildren.

He went missing Jan. 23, 2016 and was reported missing by his family three days later.

His 2007 Ford Escape was later recovered in a rural area northwest of Westlock Jan. 30, followed by the discovery of his body in a wooded area near Long Lake Feb. 17.

At Deren’s sentencing, court heard that Randy met Ward for drinks on Jan. 22. They later went to Deren’s house and bought methamphetamines, then returned to Ward’s house.

After an altercation, Ward hit Randy over the head with a piece of metal pipe and then struck him again in the head with an axe. He then phoned Deren to ask for assistance in dumping his body.

After leaving the body near Long Lake, they ditched Randy’s vehicle and attempted to light it on fire, causing extensive damage. However, DNA testing matched blood found in the vehicle to the victim.

Bonnie said their family did have a meeting with the Crown prosecutor where he laid out his reasons for seeking a sentence reflective of a manslaughter charge for Ward.

“He gave us citings and the reason why manslaughter would be the better way to go,” she said.

But at the end of the day, they never had a meeting to discuss the sentence for Deren.

“That matter had never been discussed with the family,” Bonnie said. “We weren’t even shown anything like we were with Jon Ward.”

During Deren’s sentencing, the defence asked for time served and probation. However, Judge Clifton Purvis said the facts of the case “cried out” for a penitentiary sentence.

“There’s no science to measure the misery caused by this act,” Purvis said. “(He left the body) in the woods exposed to the ravages of animals and weather.”

Bonnie said Purvis had felt a sentence of three and a half to five years would be more appropriate, but decided to accept the prosecutor’s recommendation. On Jan. 17, 2017, Deren again appeared before the Alberta Court of Appeal to ask that his sentence be reduced to time served, plus a period of probation.

Bonnie said the family was in attendance at the hearing and the three judges who heard the case agreed with Purvis’ findings.

Deren’s lawyer argued that Purvis placed an improper amount of weight on his failure to co-operate at least three times with authorities.

However, while the judges at the appeal acknowledged that Deren had pleaded guilty and had taken steps towards rehabilitation while in remand, they noted that Deren knew the victim had been murdered and had attempted to frustrate the criminal investigation.

As well, they found it aggravating that his failure to disclose the location of Randy’s body caused harm to the community and his family, and the manner in which it was disposed left it “exposed to the ravages of nature.”

Bonnie stressed that they weren’t upset about the sentencing because there was ultimately nothing they can do about it.

However, she feels the Crown prosecutor should have taken a more active role in representing the family of the victim.

“We neglected as a family to ask (the) Crown prosecutor for a meeting. We waited for him to call a meeting, and then he just bombed it on us that he’s going to go for two years,” she said.

“You don’t want to be shy. Stand up for when you believe is right.”


Kevin Berger

About the Author: Kevin Berger

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