'Extreme act of violence': Man who drove over wife in U-Haul gets 15-year manslaughter sentence

A Calgary man who killed his wife by running her over with a loaded U-Haul was handed a 15-year sentence Monday as the judge called the crime "an extreme act of violence."

Ronald John Candaele, 40, killed Melissa Blommaert, 33, on Feb.10, 2020. He was originally found guilty of second-degree murder following a trial in 2021 but the Alberta Court of Appeal overturned his conviction and found him guilty of manslaughter instead and the case was returned to Court of King's Bench for sentencing.

"This case is the result of a culmination of domestic violence that ended in a tragic killing," wrote Justice Blair Nixon in his 23-page sentencing decision released Monday. 

"The evidence before me illustrates that the offender had a history of domestic violence toward the deceased, including threats and violent assaults."

• Calgary man with 'history of terrorizing' wife should spend 15-18 years in prison for manslaughter: Crown

Candaele's previous attacks on Blommaert included punching her in the face, shoving a washcloth in her mouth and holding a broken bottle to her neck while asking "Do you want to die?" Blommaert was pregnant at the time of the second two altercations. 

"I am particularly concerned about other individuals who cross the path of Mr. Candaele at some future date in a domestic context," said Nixon.

'Heinous act of domestic violence'

Prosecutors Hyatt Mograbee and Robert Marquette proposed a 15-to-18 year sentence while defence lawyer Kim Ross argued his client should spend between six and 10-years in prison. 

Ross called Candaele's behaviour a "very spontaneous act."

But Marquette said the offender committed "a heinous act of domestic violence" and pointed out that Candaele had a "history of terrorizing" Blommaert.

At the time of the killing, Candaele was under a court-ordered condition to stay away from Blommaert. 

Blommaert died alone in street 

On Feb. 10, 2020, the couple — who had been evicted from their subsidized housing apartment — got into an argument.

At the time, they were in a U-Haul packed with all of their belongings in the northwest community of Bowness. 

Blommaert got out of the vehicle and stormed away. 

Candaele then drove into her, ran her over, turned the truck around and drove off.

She died alone in the middle of a snowy street.

• Calgary man who drove over wife with U-Haul guilty of manslaughter, not murder: court of appeal

When reviewing aggravating and mitigating factors, Justice Nixon noted there was no evidence Candaele feels remorse for his crime. 

When given the chance to address the court on Monday, Candaele called the killing of his spouse a "freak accident" and continued to play down his role.  

"It wasn't my intention for this to occur at all but I do take responsibility for some of my actions."