The sentencing hearing has been set for one of two men responsible for two random and violent home invasions in St. John’s.
The trial for 34-year-old Jonathan Hurley was ongoing in Supreme Court this week when the accused suddenly changed his plea to guilty.
That stopped the trial in its tracks, followed by the reading of the facts and almost a dozen charges, with Hurley responding “guilty” to each one.
Hurley and co-accused Justin Haynes were charged after the frightening attacks at homes in the centre of the city, and later on a quiet lane in the east end, a couple of hours apart.
Jonathon Hurley (left) and Justin Haynes are shown in court after being arrested last fall.
The back-to-back break-ins happened in September of 2022, and left one man stabbed and fighting for his life, while a couple in their 80s were beaten up and robbed.
The suspects were charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, vehicle theft, uttering threats, and break and entry, among other offences.
Haynes. the lesser player in the crimes, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to 5-1/2-years in prison.
Hurley, who has admitted to the stabbing and car theft, will likely be going away longer than that.
Submissions on his sentence, as well as victim impact statements, will be filed when the case is called again on June 20th.
