First degree murder, Assault causing bodily harm
R v. Cormier
Sentence and the Crown's position
Both are life sentences, so the bars compare how long before parole can be considered.
What the law allows
Cymon Cormier was convicted of first degree murder for repeatedly stabbing an optometrist at his Halifax clinic in December 2021, and of assault causing bodily harm for striking a customer during the attack. Both sides accepted that the mandatory life sentence with 25 years of parole ineligibility applied, and jointly recommended 90 days concurrent on the assault. Justice Brothers imposed life imprisonment without parole eligibility for 25 years, dating from his arrest, and 90 days concurrent, noting the sentence is mandatory.
In the judge's words
1A conviction for first-degree murder, that is, the planned and deliberate taking of a human life, results in the harshest sentence available in Canada. The sentence is mandatory. I must impose it.
The record
- Convicted of
- First degree murder (CC 231(2))
- Assault causing bodily harm (CC 267(b))
- Prior convictions
- 0 prior convictions1
- At the time of the offence
- Not stated1
- Defence asked for
- Life, no parole for 25 years1
- Mandatory minimum
- Applied1
- Appeal
- Not yet checked
- Counsel
- Crown: Scott Morrison and Erica Koresawa
Defence: Joshua Nodelman and Allison Hearns
Sources
- R v. Cormier, 2025 NSSC 260 Court decision, CanLII, July 28, 2025
[2] … There is no contest that Mr. Cormier must receive a life sentence for the conviction under s. 235 of the Criminal Code. … [3] … The Crown filed a pre-hearing brief explaining why a Duncan credit cannot apply to a first-degree murder conviction and the automatic period of 25 years parole ineligibility. The Defence has agreed with their position.
[2] … There is no contest that Mr. Cormier must receive a life sentence for the conviction under s. 235 of the Criminal Code. … [3] … The Crown filed a pre-hearing brief explaining why a Duncan credit cannot apply to a first-degree murder conviction and the automatic period of 25 years parole ineligibility. The Defence has agreed with their position.
[23] A conviction for first-degree murder, that is, the planned and deliberate taking of a human life, results in the harshest sentence available in Canada. The sentence is mandatory. I must impose it.
[4] Cymon Cormier went to Insight Optometry in the early morning of December 30, 2021.
[14] … Mr. Cormier is a first time offender who has been found guilty of attacking …
[23] A conviction for first-degree murder, that is, the planned and deliberate taking of a human life, results in the harshest sentence available in Canada. The sentence is mandatory. I must impose it.
[23] … Mr. Cormier has been found guilty of first-degree murder, and I sentence him to life imprisonment. Parole ineligibility, as delineated by the Code is set at 25 years. … [24] In relation to Mr. Cormier’s conviction for assault causing bodily harm to … I sentence you to a 90-day sentence to be served concurrent to the life sentence.
- R v. Cormier, 2025 NSSC 260 Court decision, Courts of Nova Scotia