Grateful for justice, mother of Jaime Adao Jr. says as men sentenced in 2019 murder
Ronald Chubb sentenced to life, no parole for 12 years; accomplice sentenced to 5 years for manslaughter
The man who killed a teenager in a violent home invasion that shook Winnipeg's tight-knit Filipino community has been sentenced to life behind bars, with no chance of parole for 12 years.
Ronald Bruce Chubb was sentenced at Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench Friday, after pleading guilty in October to second-degree murder for the 2019 killing of 17-year-old Jaime Adao Jr.
Chubb's co-accused, Geordie Delmar James, who also pleaded guilty in October, was sentenced Friday to five years in prison for manslaughter.
Jaime's mother, Imelda Adao, was overcome with emotion outside the courtroom.
"We're so grateful that we got the justice — we got the justice and my son's life is not in vain," she said, as her husband rested a hand on her shoulder.
WATCH | Jaime Adao Jr.'s mother is grateful for justice:
"This is one of the hardest days again of our lives, but we have the reality now that he's no longer with us. They cannot bring back the life of our son, even though they showed remorse."
The two sentences, issued by Justice Glenn Joyal, were a joint recommendation from the Crown and defence.
"In a case like this, it's not perfect justice," Joyal told the Adao family, "but it's justice that hopefully brings closure to you, the accused and the community."
According to an agreed statement of facts first presented in court last fall, Adao was killed after the two men broke into the family's McGee Street home on March 3, 2019.
Adao heard loud banging downstairs and, frightened for his sleeping grandma, called 911.
Armed with a knife, Chubb went upstairs and entered the bedroom where Adao was hiding. A struggle ensued, which was heard by the 911 operator.
"The fear in this child's voice had a profound impact on the 911 operator who heard the call," said Crown attorney Vanessa Gama. "To say it's chilling is an understatement."
Adao was fatally stabbed in the back, neck and arms with a kitchen knife.
Chubb, who was "highly intoxicated," his lawyer told the court, was still holding the weapon when police arrived. When he refused to drop it, Chubb was shot by police.
James, who was stealing family items downstairs, fled the home after hearing the struggle and the gunshots, the court heard.
Sentence deserved, but 'we forgive them': mother
In their victim impact statement, Imelda and her husband, Jaime, fought through tears. They celebrated their son as a respectful, loving person who helped his parents whenever possible, including at the family business, Jimel's Bakery.
"He was so caring and considerate toward us that it makes the pain that we feel now even worse, when we realize that he can't be near us anymore," Imelda said.
The court heard the Adaos felt sorry for Chubb and James, who have spent years in and out of jail.
Chubb had a troubled upbringing, court heard, including witnessing the murder of his older brother when Chubb was 13. He's suffered from addictions and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, his lawyer said at Friday's sentencing.
"When I heard their story, I feel so sorry about them also, because if they feel love since their childhood, they're not going to do such things like that in their life," Imelda said through sobs after the sentencing.
She can forgive the men because of her belief in God, she said.
"We forgive them, but they deserve the life sentence," she said, referring to Chubb.
The Crown attorney said a mitigating factor contributing to the sentencing was that the two men admitted their guilt, meaning a trial could be avoided. The Adao family didn't want to relive their son's final moments through a trial, or hear the 911 call, Gama said.
Adao Jr., affectionally known as "Jimboy" to his friends and family, was preparing to graduate from Tec Voc High School when he was killed. His parents later received an honorary high school diploma in his memory.
A talented baker, he was planning to attend Red River College. He hoped to become an executive chef in a hotel and continue learning about the family business — dreams that were ended, said Imelda, through no fault of Jaime's.
"Sometimes I know we're just pretending we're OK," she said after the court hearing, "but deep in our heart, the pain is there."
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With files from Austin Grabish