Break and enter a dwelling-house, Discharging a firearm with intent, Aggravated assault, Forcible confinement, Disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence, Unauthorized possession of a firearm
R. v. Coghill
- Below the Crown's ask
Sentence and the Crown's position
What the law allows
Edward Coghill and a co-accused were convicted after trial of offences arising from a 2019 armed home invasion in Lumby, in which two victims were shot, beaten and bound while the house was ransacked. The Crown sought 16 to 18 years for Mr. Coghill and the defence eight years. Justice Gibb-Carsley imposed a global sentence of 11 years, less 240 days of credit for pre-sentence custody and strict bail conditions, noting his sobriety and rehabilitation since the offence while emphasizing deterrence and denunciation.
In the judge's words
1This offence was premeditated and violent. Mr. Coghill and Mr. Tkachuk committed a prolonged and senseless attack against two victims who were in bed in their own home -- the place they should feel most safe. The victims were bound, beaten, and shot. The attack left one victim with life-altering injuries.
The record
- Convicted of
- Break and enter a dwelling-house (CC 348(1)(d))
- Discharging a firearm with intent (CC 244)
- Aggravated assault (CC 268)
- Forcible confinement (CC 279(2))
- Disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence (CC 351(2))
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm (CC 91(1))
- Prior convictions
- 9 prior convictions, 1 violent1
- At the time of the offence
- Not stated1
- Defence asked for
- 8 years in custody1
- Appeal
- Not yet checked
- Counsel
- Crown: B. Bellrichard, M. Treddenick
Defence: D. Verdurmen
Sources
- R. v. Coghill, 2025 BCSC 733 Court decision, CanLII, April 14, 2025
[41] In respect of Mr. Coghill, the Crown asks me to impose a custodial sentence of between 16-18 years incarcerated (192-216 months), totaling 190-214 months with time served deducted, broken down as follows:
[45] Mr. Coghill submits that an appropriate sentence is a global sentence of eight years, broken down as follows: eight years for Counts 1, 3, and 7, six years for Count 6, four years for Count 5, and 19 months for Count 8, all served concurrently.
[2] On June 13, 2024, I found Edward Scott Coghill guilty of eight counts and Stewart Wayne Tkachuk guilty of nine counts relating to a home invasion that occurred in Lumby, British Columbia in the early morning hours of September 18, 2019.
[28] Mr. Coghill has a criminal record, including four convictions of violating court orders, four convictions of failing to appear in court, an 810 recognizance, a conviction for uttering threats, and a conviction for assault causing bodily harm. The conviction for assault causing bodily harm occurred six months after this offence, and therefore cannot be consider a prior criminal conviction.
[118] This offence was premeditated and violent. Mr. Coghill and Mr. Tkachuk committed a prolonged and senseless attack against two victims who were in bed in their own home -- the place they should feel most safe. The victims were bound, beaten, and shot. The attack left one victim with life-altering injuries.
[124] By my calculation, based on the time I have credited to you, your global sentence is 11 years less 240 days. In days, this is the equivalent of 4,015 less 240 days for a total of 3,775 days.
- R. v. Coghill, 2025 BCSC 733 Court decision, Courts of British Columbia