VANCOUVER – A B.C. Supreme Court judge has found Matthew Johnston and Cody Haevischer guilty of conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the deaths of six men inside a Surrey, B.C., highrise.
The trial heard that on Oct. 19, 2007, Haevischer, Johnston and a man who can only be identified as Person X carried out the execution-style killings of Corey Lal, his brother Michael, Eddie Narong and Ryan Bartolomeo.
Ed Schellenberg, a fireplace serviceman, and 22-year-old Chris Mohan, were innocent bystanders caught up in the gang hit.
After B.C. Supreme Court Judge Catherine Wedge handed down the decision just after 11:30 a.m. Thursday in Vancouver, the courtroom full of media and members of the victims’ families broke out in applause.
The pair were also found guilty of one charge each of conspiracy to murder rival gangster Corey Lal. They face a mandatory life sentence of minimum 25 years with no parole.
Outside the courtroom Mohan’s mother, Eileen, said she was relieved by the convictions.
“They walked up to my door and stole my son,” she said.
Mohan complimented Judge Wedge for her handling of the trial, but said she will now have to prepare herself for the upcoming trial of two other men accused in the murders who chose to be tried separately.
“Today she made me a very happy mum…. I know my son is smiling down today.”
Head prosecutor Mark Levitz thanked the families for their support and patience during the seven years it took to get the conviction.
Last year, former Red Scorpions gang leader Michael Le pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder and was sentenced to 12 years in prison. His sentence was subsequently reduced to three years and one month after credit for time served. He then went on to testify against his former gang mates.
The two other men still facing trial at a later date are Jamie Kyle Bacon and Sophon Sek.
