Devin Morningstar sentenced to life in prison for murder of Baylee Wylie

Devin Morningstar has been sentenced to life in prison for the first-degree murder of Moncton teen Baylee Wylie and to three years for arson.

Morningstar, 19, who will have no chance of parole for at least 25 years, showed no reaction after being sentenced in Moncton's Court of Queen's Bench on Wednesday morning.

"You deny that you are a monster, and [I] heard what you had to say," Justice John Walsh said to Morningstar. "I've taken note of your age and that you helped police. I agree you are 'no monster,' but you will be held accountable for your actions."

He simply nodded to his family before being escorted out of the courtroom by sheriff's deputies.

Earlier in the proceedings, Morningstar stood before the court and quietly apologized for the decisions he made.

Wylie, 18, was killed in December 2015. His body was found in the burned unit of a triplex. Wylie was stabbed multiple times before the triplex unit was set on fire in three different places.

Morningstar was found guilty by a jury in November on the murder charge. He was also found guilty of committing arson with disregard for human life.

The sentence comes with a judicial review after 15 years, a mandatory DNA data bank registry and weapons prohibition.

Tina Morningstar, who was crying with her head in her hands during the sentencing, said later that her son is planning to appeal.  

Walsh said the murder conviction shows Morningstar participated in at least aiding in the attack on Wylie.

"​I have no words for the family of the victims, or the accused," Walsh said. "Two families destroyed, one literally forever."

"Wylie was no threat. He was a victim and a target for reasons I find incomprehensible."

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Angela Wylie, the victim's aunt, read a victim impact statement in front of a full courtroom on Wednesday morning.

She said making burial arrangements after her nephew's death was hard to imagine.

Her nephew's death has taken a toll on her personal life. She was hospitalized, put on medication and had to move back in with her parents.

At 37, it has taken away her independence.

When the family found out the death was suspicious, Angela Wylie said, social media seized on the news, making her nephew's death hard to stay away from online.

She had to take time off work, went back after a month and would cry every morning when she logged onto her computer.

Amanda Wylie, Baylee Wylie's mother, did not wish to read her victim impact statement in court. The Wylies also refused to comment after the sentencing Wednesday.

She stormed out of the courtroom when Morningstar's lawyer, Bob Rideout made a statement about his client's lack of criminal record and how he was taking general education development, or GED, courses.

Automatic life sentence

First-degree murder carries an automatic sentence of life in prison with no eligibility of parole for a minimum of 25 years.

Walsh presided over the case and requested that victim impact statements be prepared for the sentencing hearing.

• Devin Morningstar, 19, guilty of 1st-degree murder of Moncton teen Baylee Wylie
• ​Devin Morningstar jury sees pictures of implements used to stab Baylee Wylie
• ​Defence, Crown finish closing arguments in trial of Devin Morningstar

Tyler Noel, 19, and Marissa Shephard, 20, are also charged with first-degree murder and arson in Wylie's death.

Noel's trial is scheduled for October. Shephard's preliminary inquiry is scheduled for May.