Hamilton murder trials

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A busy day at the Sopinka Courthouse in Hamilton where the Tim Bosma murder trial is in its infancy and the trial of a man convicted of killing his common law wife is over.

There were a lot of tears in court when Haiden Suarez Noa was sentenced to 11 years for his manslaughter conviction in the stabbing death of his common law wife Tania Cowell. Friends, family and domestic violence activists were all there to support Cowell’s family who say, 11 years less time served is not enough.

In 2013, Suarez Noa used a large kitchen knife to stab Cowell forcefully 11 times, 4 of the blows were fatal. Today the judge said he didn’t believe Suarez Noa when he testified he just happened to have the knife in his hands when he snapped and attacked Cowell. Most poignantly, the judge noted that the couple’s baby, Bailun, was there at the time. He had his mother’s blood on him when his father handed him over to police the next day. The judge said, we can’t know what Bailun saw, we can only hope that the scene is not imprinted on his memory.

The crown had been asking for 15-18 years sentence, but the crown has already applied to appeal the conviction. Prosecutors still believe this should have been a 2nd degree murder conviction.

Hank and Mary Bosma, Tim Bosma’s parents, came two court rooms down to offer their support to the Cowells after sentencing as well. They’ve gotten to know each other through victim support networks.

Of course the Bosma’s were here for jury selection in their son’s murder. A week has passed now and 13 jurors have been selected, 7 men and 6 women. The judge wants 16 in total, 14 jurors and 2 alternates. Opening statements and evidence won’t start until the Monday, February 1st.