Man gets life for ex-girlfriend’s murder as judge weighs Maplehurst rights violations

3 months ago 4
ARTICLE AD BOX

By Maan Alhmidi The Canadian Press

Posted August 14, 2025 1:49 pm

1 min read

 'Sentencing hearing begins for Brampton man who pleaded guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend'

2:05 Sentencing hearing begins for Brampton man who pleaded guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend

Related: A Montreal restaurant owner is angry about orders from the province's language enforcement body. L’OQLF is asking him to change the sign to his restaurant to make it more French. But as Phil Carpenter reports, he disagrees with the order and thinks officials are being overzealous – May 15, 2025

An Ontario judge has sentenced a man who pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of his ex-girlfriend to life in prison without parole eligibility for 18 years.

The case is one of dozens affected by alleged violations of Maplehurst Correctional Complex inmates’ rights during their incarceration at the facility in Milton, Ont.

Court heard that Linval Ritchie broke into a basement apartment in Brampton, Ont., where Vanessa Virgioni lived with their seven-year-old son in the early morning of June 18, 2022.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Jennifer Woollcombe recounted in her ruling that Ritchie killed the 29-year-old woman by trying to decapitate her.

He was arrested later that day and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder two years later.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

The defence for Ritchie asked the court to consider his treatment at Maplehurst in the sentencing, and asked that his parole ineligibility period be shortened to 10 years.

Story continues below advertisement

 'Brampton man pleads guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend'

2:29 Brampton man pleads guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend

Trending Now

An agreed statement of facts in the case states that crisis intervention staff responded to an inmate’s assault on a correctional officer in December 2023 by conducting strip searches of the inmates in Ritchie’s unit and placing zip ties on their wrists.

Court heard Ritchie was left wearing only his boxer shorts for approximately 37 hours.

Woollcombe said during her ruling on Thursday that some of Ritchie’s Charter rights were violated during the incident but she rejected the request to shorten parole ineligibility to 10 years.

The killing of Virgioni is “factually one of the most gruesome and horrific second-degree murder cases” she has encountered during her decade of experience as a judge, Woollcombe said.

She said the ineligibility period should be 20 to 22 years based on the circumstances of the case, but that she would reduce the ineligibility period to 18 years because of the rights violations.

&copy 2025 The Canadian Press

By Maan Alhmidi The Canadian Press

 'Sentencing hearing begins for Brampton man who pleaded guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend'

2:05 Sentencing hearing begins for Brampton man who pleaded guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend

Related: A Montreal restaurant owner is angry about orders from the province's language enforcement body. L’OQLF is asking him to change the sign to his restaurant to make it more French. But as Phil Carpenter reports, he disagrees with the order and thinks officials are being overzealous – May 15, 2025

An Ontario judge has sentenced a man who pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of his ex-girlfriend to life in prison without parole eligibility for 18 years.

The case is one of dozens affected by alleged violations of Maplehurst Correctional Complex inmates’ rights during their incarceration at the facility in Milton, Ont.

Court heard that Linval Ritchie broke into a basement apartment in Brampton, Ont., where Vanessa Virgioni lived with their seven-year-old son in the early morning of June 18, 2022.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Jennifer Woollcombe recounted in her ruling that Ritchie killed the 29-year-old woman by trying to decapitate her.

He was arrested later that day and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder two years later.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

The defence for Ritchie asked the court to consider his treatment at Maplehurst in the sentencing, and asked that his parole ineligibility period be shortened to 10 years.

 'Brampton man pleads guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend'

2:29 Brampton man pleads guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend

Trending Now

An agreed statement of facts in the case states that crisis intervention staff responded to an inmate’s assault on a correctional officer in December 2023 by conducting strip searches of the inmates in Ritchie’s unit and placing zip ties on their wrists.

Story continues below advertisement

Court heard Ritchie was left wearing only his boxer shorts for approximately 37 hours.

Woollcombe said during her ruling on Thursday that some of Ritchie’s Charter rights were violated during the incident but she rejected the request to shorten parole ineligibility to 10 years.

The killing of Virgioni is “factually one of the most gruesome and horrific second-degree murder cases” she has encountered during her decade of experience as a judge, Woollcombe said.

She said the ineligibility period should be 20 to 22 years based on the circumstances of the case, but that she would reduce the ineligibility period to 18 years because of the rights violations.

By Maan Alhmidi The Canadian Press

 'Sentencing hearing begins for Brampton man who pleaded guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend'

2:05 Sentencing hearing begins for Brampton man who pleaded guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend

Related: A Montreal restaurant owner is angry about orders from the province's language enforcement body. L’OQLF is asking him to change the sign to his restaurant to make it more French. But as Phil Carpenter reports, he disagrees with the order and thinks officials are being overzealous – May 15, 2025

An Ontario judge has sentenced a man who pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of his ex-girlfriend to life in prison without parole eligibility for 18 years.

The case is one of dozens affected by alleged violations of Maplehurst Correctional Complex inmates’ rights during their incarceration at the facility in Milton, Ont.

Court heard that Linval Ritchie broke into a basement apartment in Brampton, Ont., where Vanessa Virgioni lived with their seven-year-old son in the early morning of June 18, 2022.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Jennifer Woollcombe recounted in her ruling that Ritchie killed the 29-year-old woman by trying to decapitate her.

Story continues below advertisement

He was arrested later that day and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder two years later.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

The defence for Ritchie asked the court to consider his treatment at Maplehurst in the sentencing, and asked that his parole ineligibility period be shortened to 10 years.

 'Brampton man pleads guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend'

2:29 Brampton man pleads guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend

Trending Now

An agreed statement of facts in the case states that crisis intervention staff responded to an inmate’s assault on a correctional officer in December 2023 by conducting strip searches of the inmates in Ritchie’s unit and placing zip ties on their wrists.

Court heard Ritchie was left wearing only his boxer shorts for approximately 37 hours.

Woollcombe said during her ruling on Thursday that some of Ritchie’s Charter rights were violated during the incident but she rejected the request to shorten parole ineligibility to 10 years.

Story continues below advertisement

The killing of Virgioni is “factually one of the most gruesome and horrific second-degree murder cases” she has encountered during her decade of experience as a judge, Woollcombe said.

She said the ineligibility period should be 20 to 22 years based on the circumstances of the case, but that she would reduce the ineligibility period to 18 years because of the rights violations.

By Maan Alhmidi The Canadian Press

 'Sentencing hearing begins for Brampton man who pleaded guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend'

2:05 Sentencing hearing begins for Brampton man who pleaded guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend

Related: A Montreal restaurant owner is angry about orders from the province's language enforcement body. L’OQLF is asking him to change the sign to his restaurant to make it more French. But as Phil Carpenter reports, he disagrees with the order and thinks officials are being overzealous – May 15, 2025

An Ontario judge has sentenced a man who pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of his ex-girlfriend to life in prison without parole eligibility for 18 years.

The case is one of dozens affected by alleged violations of Maplehurst Correctional Complex inmates’ rights during their incarceration at the facility in Milton, Ont.

Court heard that Linval Ritchie broke into a basement apartment in Brampton, Ont., where Vanessa Virgioni lived with their seven-year-old son in the early morning of June 18, 2022.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Jennifer Woollcombe recounted in her ruling that Ritchie killed the 29-year-old woman by trying to decapitate her.

He was arrested later that day and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder two years later.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

The defence for Ritchie asked the court to consider his treatment at Maplehurst in the sentencing, and asked that his parole ineligibility period be shortened to 10 years.

Story continues below advertisement

 'Brampton man pleads guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend'

2:29 Brampton man pleads guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend

Trending Now

An agreed statement of facts in the case states that crisis intervention staff responded to an inmate’s assault on a correctional officer in December 2023 by conducting strip searches of the inmates in Ritchie’s unit and placing zip ties on their wrists.

Court heard Ritchie was left wearing only his boxer shorts for approximately 37 hours.

Woollcombe said during her ruling on Thursday that some of Ritchie’s Charter rights were violated during the incident but she rejected the request to shorten parole ineligibility to 10 years.

The killing of Virgioni is “factually one of the most gruesome and horrific second-degree murder cases” she has encountered during her decade of experience as a judge, Woollcombe said.

She said the ineligibility period should be 20 to 22 years based on the circumstances of the case, but that she would reduce the ineligibility period to 18 years because of the rights violations.

By Maan Alhmidi The Canadian Press

 'Sentencing hearing begins for Brampton man who pleaded guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend'

2:05 Sentencing hearing begins for Brampton man who pleaded guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend

Related: A Montreal restaurant owner is angry about orders from the province's language enforcement body. L’OQLF is asking him to change the sign to his restaurant to make it more French. But as Phil Carpenter reports, he disagrees with the order and thinks officials are being overzealous – May 15, 2025

An Ontario judge has sentenced a man who pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of his ex-girlfriend to life in prison without parole eligibility for 18 years.

The case is one of dozens affected by alleged violations of Maplehurst Correctional Complex inmates’ rights during their incarceration at the facility in Milton, Ont.

Court heard that Linval Ritchie broke into a basement apartment in Brampton, Ont., where Vanessa Virgioni lived with their seven-year-old son in the early morning of June 18, 2022.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Jennifer Woollcombe recounted in her ruling that Ritchie killed the 29-year-old woman by trying to decapitate her.

He was arrested later that day and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder two years later.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

The defence for Ritchie asked the court to consider his treatment at Maplehurst in the sentencing, and asked that his parole ineligibility period be shortened to 10 years.

 'Brampton man pleads guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend'

2:29 Brampton man pleads guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend

Trending Now

An agreed statement of facts in the case states that crisis intervention staff responded to an inmate’s assault on a correctional officer in December 2023 by conducting strip searches of the inmates in Ritchie’s unit and placing zip ties on their wrists.

Story continues below advertisement

Court heard Ritchie was left wearing only his boxer shorts for approximately 37 hours.

Woollcombe said during her ruling on Thursday that some of Ritchie’s Charter rights were violated during the incident but she rejected the request to shorten parole ineligibility to 10 years.

The killing of Virgioni is “factually one of the most gruesome and horrific second-degree murder cases” she has encountered during her decade of experience as a judge, Woollcombe said.

She said the ineligibility period should be 20 to 22 years based on the circumstances of the case, but that she would reduce the ineligibility period to 18 years because of the rights violations.

By Maan Alhmidi The Canadian Press

 'Sentencing hearing begins for Brampton man who pleaded guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend'

2:05 Sentencing hearing begins for Brampton man who pleaded guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend

Related: A Montreal restaurant owner is angry about orders from the province's language enforcement body. L’OQLF is asking him to change the sign to his restaurant to make it more French. But as Phil Carpenter reports, he disagrees with the order and thinks officials are being overzealous – May 15, 2025

An Ontario judge has sentenced a man who pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of his ex-girlfriend to life in prison without parole eligibility for 18 years.

The case is one of dozens affected by alleged violations of Maplehurst Correctional Complex inmates’ rights during their incarceration at the facility in Milton, Ont.

Court heard that Linval Ritchie broke into a basement apartment in Brampton, Ont., where Vanessa Virgioni lived with their seven-year-old son in the early morning of June 18, 2022.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Jennifer Woollcombe recounted in her ruling that Ritchie killed the 29-year-old woman by trying to decapitate her.

Story continues below advertisement

He was arrested later that day and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder two years later.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

The defence for Ritchie asked the court to consider his treatment at Maplehurst in the sentencing, and asked that his parole ineligibility period be shortened to 10 years.

 'Brampton man pleads guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend'

2:29 Brampton man pleads guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend

Trending Now

An agreed statement of facts in the case states that crisis intervention staff responded to an inmate’s assault on a correctional officer in December 2023 by conducting strip searches of the inmates in Ritchie’s unit and placing zip ties on their wrists.

Court heard Ritchie was left wearing only his boxer shorts for approximately 37 hours.

Woollcombe said during her ruling on Thursday that some of Ritchie’s Charter rights were violated during the incident but she rejected the request to shorten parole ineligibility to 10 years.

Story continues below advertisement

The killing of Virgioni is “factually one of the most gruesome and horrific second-degree murder cases” she has encountered during her decade of experience as a judge, Woollcombe said.

She said the ineligibility period should be 20 to 22 years based on the circumstances of the case, but that she would reduce the ineligibility period to 18 years because of the rights violations.

By Maan Alhmidi The Canadian Press

 'Sentencing hearing begins for Brampton man who pleaded guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend'

2:05 Sentencing hearing begins for Brampton man who pleaded guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend

Related: A Montreal restaurant owner is angry about orders from the province's language enforcement body. L’OQLF is asking him to change the sign to his restaurant to make it more French. But as Phil Carpenter reports, he disagrees with the order and thinks officials are being overzealous – May 15, 2025

An Ontario judge has sentenced a man who pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of his ex-girlfriend to life in prison without parole eligibility for 18 years.

The case is one of dozens affected by alleged violations of Maplehurst Correctional Complex inmates’ rights during their incarceration at the facility in Milton, Ont.

Court heard that Linval Ritchie broke into a basement apartment in Brampton, Ont., where Vanessa Virgioni lived with their seven-year-old son in the early morning of June 18, 2022.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Jennifer Woollcombe recounted in her ruling that Ritchie killed the 29-year-old woman by trying to decapitate her.

He was arrested later that day and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder two years later.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

The defence for Ritchie asked the court to consider his treatment at Maplehurst in the sentencing, and asked that his parole ineligibility period be shortened to 10 years.

Story continues below advertisement

 'Brampton man pleads guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend'

2:29 Brampton man pleads guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend

Trending Now

An agreed statement of facts in the case states that crisis intervention staff responded to an inmate’s assault on a correctional officer in December 2023 by conducting strip searches of the inmates in Ritchie’s unit and placing zip ties on their wrists.

Court heard Ritchie was left wearing only his boxer shorts for approximately 37 hours.

Woollcombe said during her ruling on Thursday that some of Ritchie’s Charter rights were violated during the incident but she rejected the request to shorten parole ineligibility to 10 years.

The killing of Virgioni is “factually one of the most gruesome and horrific second-degree murder cases” she has encountered during her decade of experience as a judge, Woollcombe said.

She said the ineligibility period should be 20 to 22 years based on the circumstances of the case, but that she would reduce the ineligibility period to 18 years because of the rights violations.

By Maan Alhmidi The Canadian Press

 'Sentencing hearing begins for Brampton man who pleaded guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend'

2:05 Sentencing hearing begins for Brampton man who pleaded guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend

Related: A Montreal restaurant owner is angry about orders from the province's language enforcement body. L’OQLF is asking him to change the sign to his restaurant to make it more French. But as Phil Carpenter reports, he disagrees with the order and thinks officials are being overzealous – May 15, 2025

An Ontario judge has sentenced a man who pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of his ex-girlfriend to life in prison without parole eligibility for 18 years.

The case is one of dozens affected by alleged violations of Maplehurst Correctional Complex inmates’ rights during their incarceration at the facility in Milton, Ont.

Court heard that Linval Ritchie broke into a basement apartment in Brampton, Ont., where Vanessa Virgioni lived with their seven-year-old son in the early morning of June 18, 2022.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Jennifer Woollcombe recounted in her ruling that Ritchie killed the 29-year-old woman by trying to decapitate her.

He was arrested later that day and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder two years later.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

The defence for Ritchie asked the court to consider his treatment at Maplehurst in the sentencing, and asked that his parole ineligibility period be shortened to 10 years.

 'Brampton man pleads guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend'

2:29 Brampton man pleads guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend

Trending Now

An agreed statement of facts in the case states that crisis intervention staff responded to an inmate’s assault on a correctional officer in December 2023 by conducting strip searches of the inmates in Ritchie’s unit and placing zip ties on their wrists.

Story continues below advertisement

Court heard Ritchie was left wearing only his boxer shorts for approximately 37 hours.

Woollcombe said during her ruling on Thursday that some of Ritchie’s Charter rights were violated during the incident but she rejected the request to shorten parole ineligibility to 10 years.

The killing of Virgioni is “factually one of the most gruesome and horrific second-degree murder cases” she has encountered during her decade of experience as a judge, Woollcombe said.

She said the ineligibility period should be 20 to 22 years based on the circumstances of the case, but that she would reduce the ineligibility period to 18 years because of the rights violations.

By Maan Alhmidi The Canadian Press

 'Sentencing hearing begins for Brampton man who pleaded guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend'

2:05 Sentencing hearing begins for Brampton man who pleaded guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend

Related: A Montreal restaurant owner is angry about orders from the province's language enforcement body. L’OQLF is asking him to change the sign to his restaurant to make it more French. But as Phil Carpenter reports, he disagrees with the order and thinks officials are being overzealous – May 15, 2025

An Ontario judge has sentenced a man who pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of his ex-girlfriend to life in prison without parole eligibility for 18 years.

The case is one of dozens affected by alleged violations of Maplehurst Correctional Complex inmates’ rights during their incarceration at the facility in Milton, Ont.

Court heard that Linval Ritchie broke into a basement apartment in Brampton, Ont., where Vanessa Virgioni lived with their seven-year-old son in the early morning of June 18, 2022.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Jennifer Woollcombe recounted in her ruling that Ritchie killed the 29-year-old woman by trying to decapitate her.

Story continues below advertisement

He was arrested later that day and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder two years later.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

The defence for Ritchie asked the court to consider his treatment at Maplehurst in the sentencing, and asked that his parole ineligibility period be shortened to 10 years.

 'Brampton man pleads guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend'

2:29 Brampton man pleads guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend

Trending Now

An agreed statement of facts in the case states that crisis intervention staff responded to an inmate’s assault on a correctional officer in December 2023 by conducting strip searches of the inmates in Ritchie’s unit and placing zip ties on their wrists.

Court heard Ritchie was left wearing only his boxer shorts for approximately 37 hours.

Woollcombe said during her ruling on Thursday that some of Ritchie’s Charter rights were violated during the incident but she rejected the request to shorten parole ineligibility to 10 years.

Story continues below advertisement

The killing of Virgioni is “factually one of the most gruesome and horrific second-degree murder cases” she has encountered during her decade of experience as a judge, Woollcombe said.

She said the ineligibility period should be 20 to 22 years based on the circumstances of the case, but that she would reduce the ineligibility period to 18 years because of the rights violations.

By Maan Alhmidi The Canadian Press

 'Sentencing hearing begins for Brampton man who pleaded guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend'

2:05 Sentencing hearing begins for Brampton man who pleaded guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend

Related: A Montreal restaurant owner is angry about orders from the province's language enforcement body. L’OQLF is asking him to change the sign to his restaurant to make it more French. But as Phil Carpenter reports, he disagrees with the order and thinks officials are being overzealous – May 15, 2025

An Ontario judge has sentenced a man who pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of his ex-girlfriend to life in prison without parole eligibility for 18 years.

The case is one of dozens affected by alleged violations of Maplehurst Correctional Complex inmates’ rights during their incarceration at the facility in Milton, Ont.

Court heard that Linval Ritchie broke into a basement apartment in Brampton, Ont., where Vanessa Virgioni lived with their seven-year-old son in the early morning of June 18, 2022.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Jennifer Woollcombe recounted in her ruling that Ritchie killed the 29-year-old woman by trying to decapitate her.

He was arrested later that day and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder two years later.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

The defence for Ritchie asked the court to consider his treatment at Maplehurst in the sentencing, and asked that his parole ineligibility period be shortened to 10 years.

Story continues below advertisement

 'Brampton man pleads guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend'

2:29 Brampton man pleads guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend

Trending Now

An agreed statement of facts in the case states that crisis intervention staff responded to an inmate’s assault on a correctional officer in December 2023 by conducting strip searches of the inmates in Ritchie’s unit and placing zip ties on their wrists.

Court heard Ritchie was left wearing only his boxer shorts for approximately 37 hours.

Woollcombe said during her ruling on Thursday that some of Ritchie’s Charter rights were violated during the incident but she rejected the request to shorten parole ineligibility to 10 years.

The killing of Virgioni is “factually one of the most gruesome and horrific second-degree murder cases” she has encountered during her decade of experience as a judge, Woollcombe said.

She said the ineligibility period should be 20 to 22 years based on the circumstances of the case, but that she would reduce the ineligibility period to 18 years because of the rights violations.

Read Entire Article