THUNDER BAY — The grief felt by Aiden Cunningham’s family and friends was palpable as they shared the impact of the 19-year-old’s murder on their lives.
Cunningham was killed on June 25, 2022 after he had been in a physical altercation with Daniel Keefe inside Keefe’s Crown Street residence. During the fight, Keefe pulled a knife from his pocket and stabbed Cunningham twice in the chest.
One of the wounds struck his heart and the teenager was pronounced dead at the hospital.
A jury found Keefe guilty of second-degree murder on Feb. 12 following a trial that lasted little more than a week.
A sentencing hearing for Keefe, 20, was held on Friday at the Thunder Bay Courthouse where the court heard seven victim impact statements from family and friends of Cunningham, including his mother and grandparents.
Ashley Cunningham, Aiden’s mother, gave an emotional statement about losing her only child and said nothing holds any significance for her anymore.
She spoke about how her son loved food and music. He had become interested in cooking and had been making up his own songs from the moment he began to speak.
“I was so proud of his willingness to try anything he was interested in,” she said.
She lamented never seeing her son graduate high school or that she will never become a grandmother.
“I have to find comfort in the fact my son can never be hurt again,” she said.
Cunningham’s grandmother, Shelley, also spoke about his love for food and how he would send her recipes to try at the next family gathering.
“I would always say yes,” she said, adding she often wonders if he would be fulfilling his dream of writing and performing music if he were still alive.
“Aiden mattered. He was loved and is missed every day,” she said.
“We feel this loss every single day.”
A conviction of second-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence with at least 10 years in jail before an offender can apply for parole.
The Crown and defence made a joint sentencing submission, with both sides recommending the minimum of 10 years for parole ineligibility for Keefe, citing he is a youthful first-time offender.
Crown lawyer, Simon McNaughton, said he does not think the law requires or allows for a lengthier period in this case.
“Whether he spends more than (10 years) will be up to the purview of the parole board,” said McNaughton.
Defence lawyer, George Joseph, said Keefe receiving a life sentence means he will be subject to a lifetime of supervision and a violation of any parole he may or may not get will land him back in a custodial setting.
Joseph also noted at the time of the incident Keefe was just two months past his 18th birthday and he has been in custody since his arrest; he has already spent two years and nine months in jail.
When asked if he had anything to say to the court, Keefe said he wanted to apologize to Cunningham’s family.
“I regret everything,” he said.
The judge will return with the sentence decision on April 16.
