A sentencing hearing begins today in Milton for Brandy Cooney, 45, and Becky Hamber, 47, who were found guilty of murdering a 12-year-old boy in their care. The women were also convicted of confining and assaulting the victim’s younger brother and failing to provide the necessaries of life to a second child they were attempting to adopt, according to court documents.
Judicial Findings and Trial Evidence
Superior Court Justice Clayton Conlan, who presided over the judge-alone trial, concluded that the defendants “hated the boys.” In his May decision, Justice Conlan wrote that the couple “deeply resented them having come into their lives and not having turned out to be what was expected.” The court heard that the victim, referred to as L.L. due to a publication ban, was confined to a “dungeon-like bedroom” until his death in December 2022.
The trial, which began in September, involved 48 witnesses and 209 exhibits. Justice Conlan based his verdict largely on text messages between Cooney, Hamber, and Cooney’s father, who lived in the home. Testimony from the surviving brother, J.L., alongside evidence from medical professionals and expert witnesses, further informed the court’s findings.
Did You Know?
The brothers lived with Hamber and Cooney, their prospective adoptive parents, for approximately five years, beginning in 2017, before the Children’s Aid Society removed the surviving brother from the home in the days following L.L.’s death.
Sentencing and Potential Outcomes
A conviction for first-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence, with no eligibility for parole for 25 years. As the hearing proceeds, the court may hear victim impact statements. These statements, which are typically written by victims or their loved ones, allow individuals to detail the personal toll of the crimes. It remains unclear who, if anyone, will deliver such statements during Friday’s proceedings.
Expert Insight:
The reliance on digital evidence—specifically the text messages between the defendants—highlights a trend in criminal proceedings where private, contemporaneous communications serve as a record of intent. In cases involving vulnerable victims, such documentation often provides the court with a clear window into the domestic environment that verbal testimony alone might not capture.
Background and Family Response
The biological mother of the two boys issued a statement in May regarding the verdict. While she thanked Justice Conlan, court staff, and the legal teams involved, she emphasized the lasting impact of the tragedy. “This verdict does not bring our child back to us,” she stated. “But it does help us move forward.” The mother is not being named to protect the identity of her sons.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What were the specific charges against Cooney and Hamber?
The women were found guilty of murdering 12-year-old L.L., confining and assaulting his younger brother, J.L., and failing to provide the necessaries of life to another child they were attempting to adopt.
How long did the investigation take?
L.L. died in December 2022. Halton police arrested the women on assault charges on Jan. 17, 2023, and they were subsequently charged with the murder of L.L. on February 29, 2024.
What is the significance of the publication ban?
The identities of the Indigenous brothers are protected under a standard publication ban, which is why they are referred to by their initials, L.L. and J.L., throughout the legal proceedings.
How might the inclusion of victim impact statements influence the atmosphere of the sentencing hearing today?
Worth a look