Brother of Sydney man killed 5 years ago says long court process has been ‘complete torture’

The family and friends of Stephen Rose, a Cape Breton man who was tragically killed five years ago in Sydney, N.S., addressed the Nova Scotia Supreme Court on Wednesday as the sentencing hearing for Joseph Frederick Evong began. Both Evong and co-accused Jessica Anne MacDonald have pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of Rose, a beloved father of four who was found dead inside MacDonald’s Sydney apartment in November 2019, having been stabbed 147 times.

The impact of Rose’s violent death and the lengthy legal process on his loved ones was evident as they shared their emotional testimonies in court. Richard Rose, the victim’s younger brother, expressed the profound grief and frustration that has plagued their family over the past four years. He directly addressed Evong, attributing their father’s death to a broken heart caused by the actions of the defendants.

Katie Laybolt, the mother of Stephen Rose’s nephews, painted a poignant picture of the victim as someone with a larger-than-life personality and a fierce sense of loyalty towards his family and friends. She described the heinous act that took his life as “horrible and senseless,” leaving the family grappling with stress, isolation, and the harrowing details of his brutal murder.

The court heard a disturbing account of the events leading to Rose’s death, with Crown attorney Kathy Pentz detailing an argument between Rose and Evong that escalated into a physical altercation. Both men were armed with knives, and the confrontation ultimately ended with Rose sustaining fatal injuries. The gratuitous violence of the attack, coupled with Evong’s prior criminal record, which includes offenses like robbery, assault, and weapons charges, are factors that the judge must consider in determining Evong’s sentencing.

As the sentencing hearing continues, the Rose family and their supporters anxiously await justice for Stephen. The pain of their loss, compounded by the arduous legal process, serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of violence on victims and their loved ones. The memory of Stephen Rose, a devoted father and cherished family member, lives on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.