Brother of Sydney man killed 5 years ago says long court process has been 'complete torture'

Loved ones of a Cape Breton man killed five years ago in Sydney, N.S., spoke Wednesday of the toll his violent death — and the years-long road to justice — has taken on their lives.

Family and friends of Stephen Rose addressed the Nova Scotia Supreme Court at the start of the sentencing hearing for Joseph Frederick Evong.

Evong and co-accused Jessica Anne MacDonald have both pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of Rose, a 41-year-old father of four.

Rose was found dead inside MacDonald's Sydney apartment in November 2019 after having been stabbed 147 times.

Members of Rose's family told the court Wednesday that returning time and time again to the courthouse reopened wounds, particularly for Rose's grieving father, who died a year ago.

"I firmly believe he literally died from a broken heart over your actions," Richard Rose, the victim's younger brother, said while looking directly at Evong. 

"Dealing with this huge loss is hard enough on its own, but having to deal with the frustrations of the court process has been complete torture. These past four years have prolonged and impacted our ability to grieve."

'Horrible, senseless act'

Katie Laybolt, the mother of Stephen Rose's nephews, described the victim as having a big personality and someone who was fiercely loyal. 

"It provided us all with a sense of security … knowing we all had that one guy who would go to any length to protect his family and friends, the people he loved," she said.

Laybolt described what happened to Rose as a "horrible senseless act," and said his family was left feeling stress and isolation while struggling alone with the details of what happened. 

In addition to the knife wounds Rose suffered, a medical examiner's report noted he had multiple blunt force injuries, one finger had been amputated, and his body was found with a belt around the neck.

On Wednesday, Crown attorney Kathy Pentz read an agreed statement of facts that said Rose and Evong had both been visiting MacDonald when an argument broke out between the two men. 

Pentz said the argument escalated into a physical fight and both men were armed with knives. Evong later followed Rose into a bedroom, and emerged making a comment that he had "got him" in the liver. 

The two men continued fighting in the hall of the apartment when MacDonald intervened by stabbing Rose in the back of the neck. 

Pentz said there are several aggravating factors the judge must consider in sentencing Evong, including the gratuitous violence in Rose's death and Evong's prior criminal record that includes robberies, assault and weapons offences. 

Evong's sentencing hearing will continue Thursday with final submissions from his defence counsel.