N.S. man convicted in deadly home invasion dies in N.B. prison

A Nova Scotia man who was serving a life sentence for crimes that included a murder committed when he was 18 has died in prison.

William Ray Best was convicted of second-degree murder in 2005 for stabbing a man to death while committing a home invasion and robbery. 

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) issued a news release this week, saying Best had died Aug. 10 at the Dorchester Penitentiary in New Brunswick.

No cause of death was given. In the statement, the CSC said it is reviewing the circumstances of Best's death.

In 2005, Best and another man, Joseph Charles Dawson, forced their way into a home in Lawrencetown, N.S. Best attacked the victim, John Wyllie, with a long-bladed knife. According to evidence at his trial, the motive was drugs.

'Lives dominated by drugs'

The crime prompted Joseph Kennedy, then chief justice of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court, to speak to the problem at Best's sentencing.

"There is an ever-growing significant number in our society, relatively young, who are not functioning properly," the judge said.

"They are undisciplined, they are undereducated, they are amoral and they are adrift.  Lives dominated by drugs, gratuitous violence and stupid actions."

Kennedy ruled Best had to serve a minimum of 18 years in prison before he could begin applying for parole. However, he was given three years credit for the time he spent in jail while his case made its way through the courts.