Latest news with #JaneCreba
Toronto Sun
2 days ago
- Toronto Sun
Letters to the Editor, July 28, 2025
FAILED SYSTEM This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Michele Mandel, thank you for writing the column 'Insult to her memory' (July 24). This message needs to be shouted from the tallest mountains, from sea to sea, in every community, hall of justice, and the House of Parliament. This lovely young life, Jane Creba, was taken in an act of unconscionable violence, hearts were destroyed that day, and why? Because she was out with family and friends shopping on Boxing Day. Absolutely appalling that Jane was taken from her family by the heartless, evil gang members with total disregard for anyone. The members of the parole board and the judge who 'rolled the dice' and allowed these lifetime criminals back on the streets should be held fully accountable for their decisions in these cases. Jane Creba, Karolina Huebner-Makurat, Shahnaz Pestonji, each one and more — without ever creating a criminal offence — have been all given life-ending sentences, while those who took their lives and destroyed their families, time after time get bail, get released early, and get arrested again and again. This needs to stop; hold these judges and parole boards accountable for their decisions, and accountable to those impacted by these absurd get-out-of-jail-free actions. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Michael McNutt Mississauga (How many times do we have to expose these failures before something changes? Where is the public outrage over? There is no accountability in the system) BUILDING IT UP It was nice to read that Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Mark Carney are trying to solve the world's problems by fireside chat; indeed, it is a good step in the right direction. They need to bring G7 and G20 nations to usher a new kind of Marshall Plan to address today's crisis, as the U.S.A. did under President Harry Truman to rebuild Europe. Make it today's effort to rebuild all war-torn countries. Canada can take a leading role in attempting to solve. Anant Nagpur Ottawa (It is indeed positive, but Carney needs to sort out the mess in our own backyard left by Trudeau – and so far, he seems to be doing nothing about it) Sports Columnists Sunshine Girls Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA
Toronto Sun
6 days ago
- Toronto Sun
MANDEL: Convicted killer in Jane Creba slaying denied parole again
Get the latest from Michele Mandel straight to your inbox Jorrell Simpson-Rowe was convicted of second-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault and five weapons charges in the Boxing Day 2005 slaying of Jane Creba. He's seen in a court handout photo copied by the photographer. Photo by File photo / Toronto Sun He's the last one still serving time for the Boxing Day shootout that claimed the life of an innocent Toronto teen out shopping with her family. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Jorrell Simpson-Rowe, 37, is serving a life sentence with no possibility of parole for seven years after being convicted in 2009 of second-degree murder in the death of 15-year-old Jane Creba as well as aggravated assault and unauthorized possession of a firearm. Just 17 at the time, he's spent almost two decades behind bars and unlike his three co-accused, he's been denied parole at every turn. In the latest decision, obtained by the Toronto Sun, Simpson-Rowe was found to present a 'high risk' of violent reoffending and a low potential for reintegration. At his trial, Simpson-Rowe denied firing a gun, saying it was handed to him after the shootout. Much later at a board hearing, he admitted his gang had happened to run into rivals and someone gave him the gun, which he maintained he only fired after the other group shot at him. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Simpson-Rowe was arrested 30 minutes later, still in possession of the firearm which had been stolen in a home invasion. Recommended video He had a troubled childhood, of course. His father was deported for criminal activity when he was nine and he reported his mom was emotionally abusive and absent because she was working to support him. He was diagnosed as a kid with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, ADHD, anxiety, as well as antisocial and narcissistic personality traits. 'You have been described as having an explosive temper when you were a youth,' the board wrote in its September 2024 decision. 'You learned at an early age that violence solved problems and got you what you wanted. Police noted you were a member of a criminal gang, and CSC (Correctional Service of Canada) information continues to document you as an 'active' security threat group associate.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Jane Creba is shown in an undated family handout photo. The 15-year-old was fatally shot on Yonge St. Boxing Day 2005. Toronto Sun files The two-member panel noted Simpson-Rowe's behaviour has been 'problematic' throughout his sentence and he's been bounced back and forth between medium and maximum security. He's been involved in altercations with fellow inmates, found with a contraband cellphone and in April 2023, a homemade stabbing weapon was discovered in his pocket. In 2023 alone, there were 17 incidents, including disciplinary problems, uttering threats, physical assault on staff, and possession of unauthorized items/contraband. 'You have had several relationships while incarcerated, including more than one marriage,' the parole board added, noting that he scores at a moderate risk for future intimate partner violence. 'Your risk remains unmanageable on a day parole release,' the panel concluded. 'Your risk on release remains too high.' mmandel@ Sports Golf Canada Canada Columnists
Toronto Sun
6 days ago
- Toronto Sun
MANDEL: Two guilty in Jane Creba slaying convicted of other offences, another faces murder charge
Murder victim Jane Creba (Toronto Sun file photo) On that tragic Boxing Day almost 20 years ago, 41 bullet fragments, eight shell casings and two bullets lay scattered along the Yonge St. sidewalk where a gun battle suddenly erupted between two rival groups on the busiest shopping day of the year. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Toronto teen Jane Creba was caught in the crossfire of their senseless gang shootout, forever frozen at 15 in that haunting black and white portrait we all came to know so well, a haunting symbol of the innocence our city lost the day she went shopping and never came home. But what an insult it is to her memory that two decades on, three of the four men convicted in her death were freed by the Parole Board — with all three later rearrested; the most recent being last week's shocking arrest of Jeremiah Valentine for allegedly committing yet another murder. Jane Creba is shown in an undated family handout photo. The 15-year-old was fatally shot on Yonge St. Boxing Day 2005. Toronto Sun files And just seven months after he was granted full parole. While it was never determined who fired the fatal shot, the Crown alleged the Riverdale Collegiate student was killed by a .357 Magnum bullet fired by the Magnum-toting Valentine. In 2009, the then 27-year-old pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 12 years. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. That was hardly a life sentence. Valentine was first freed on day parole in November 2023 and granted full parole this past January — despite his last psychological assessment in 2021, and validated in 2023, showing there was a 76% chance of his violent reoffending within five years if he were released. Still, the parole board rolled the dice and figured he no longer posed an 'undue risk' to the community. If the allegations now against him are proven true, the 33-year-old victim he's alleged to have gunned down would most certainly have disagreed. Two of Valentine's co-accused have also had further run-ins with the law. A Dec. 22, 2009 court sketch of Jeremiah Valentine in court in Toronto. Valentine pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the Dec. 26, 2005 death of Jane Creba. He was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 12 years. (Alex Tavshunshky / Global TV) Louis Woodcock and Tyshaun Barnett — both under court orders not to possess weapons — came downtown that day packing loaded handguns and opened fire outside the Foot Locker in a brazen gun battle with Valentine. Barnett fired one shot from a .25-calibre handgun before it jammed while at least seven slugs came from Woodcock's 9-mm semi-automatic Ruger. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A jury acquitted them of second-degree murder, but convicted them of manslaughter. The Crown sought a prison term of 15 years, but Justice Gladys Pardu took their age — both were 18 at the time — and their expressions of regret into account. Recommended video ' The possibility that they can turn around their lives and become productive law-abiding members of the community cannot be entirely discounted, ' she said. So she sentenced each to 12 years — but thanks to the two-for-one credit for their four years of pre-sentence custody, they had less than four years remaining and were soon set free. The judge's optimism proved sadly misplaced. In 2017, with just one day remaining on his parole, Woodcock was arrested in Kingston and charged with drug offences. In 2018, he was convicted of having illegal possession of 30 grams of marijuana and sentenced to time served. Last year, it was Toronto Police who arrested the 36-year-old, this time on numerous firearm and drug-related charges which are still pending. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Barnett fared no better. In 2020, he was swept up in a Toronto Police gang investigation of the Eglinton West Crips and charged with drug offences. In July 2022, h e pleaded guilty to three drug-related charges and was sentenced to three years. Last year, despite his lifetime weapons ban, Barnett, 37, was sentenced to another 11 years in prison for firing four shots into a man's legs in Ottawa in what the Crown described as a ' revenge ' shooting in April 2022. Only Jorrell Simpson-Rowe is still safely behind bars — despite his many attempts at parole. Simpson-Rowe was six weeks shy of his 18th birthday when he fired a 9-mm handgun several times during the shootout and wounded three people. Convicted of second-degree murder, he was sentenced as an adult to life in prison with no chance of parole for seven years. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. There was no sign of any remorse. When told the shootout caused Creba's death, he responded, ' How do they know she wouldn't have been hit by a car or something? ' In 2015, the Parole Board denied his attempt at day parole and/or full parole, finding he resorted to using violence to get what he wants. In 2020 and again last year, they turned him down, saying he continues to be at a high risk of violent recidivism. They've been rightly cautious with Simpson-Rowe. Now we can question whether the parole board should have exercised the same caution with his fellow gunmen. mmandel@ Read More Golf Sports Canada Canada Columnists
CTV News
18-07-2025
- CTV News
Toronto Boxing Day killer granted full parole 7 months before fatal Montreal shooting
MONTRÉAL — The man convicted in the 2005 Toronto Boxing Day murder of a 15-year-old was granted full parole in January after being assessed as having a 76 per cent chance of recidivism. Seven months after getting parole, 43-year-old Jeremiah Valentine faces one count of first-degree murder in the killing of Abdeck Kenedith Ibrahim. The 33-year-old Ibrahim was gunned down in a downtown Montreal square around 12:45 a.m. Tuesday. In 2009, Valentine pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was given a life sentence with no chance of parole for 12 years in the 2005 shootout in downtown Toronto between rival gangs that killed 15-year-old Jane Creba. In its decision granting parole, the Parole Board of Canada says an August 2021 psychological assessment of Valentine indicated he had the highest level of risk — a 76 per cent chance of recidivism over a period of five years after release. However, the parole board says he made 'observable and measurable' change in prison, adding that his release will 'contribute to the protection of society.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 17, 2025. The Canadian Press
CBC
18-07-2025
- CBC
Toronto's 2005 Boxing Day gunman faces 1st-degree murder charge in Montreal
Jeremiah Valentine, who went to prison for taking part in the 2005 Boxing Day shootout in Toronto that killed a 15-year-old girl, has been charged with murder in Montreal. The 43-year-old faces one count of first-degree murder in the killing of Abdeck Kenedith Ibrahim, 33, who was gunned down in a downtown Montreal square around 12:45 a.m. Tuesday. Valentine was among several people convicted in the 2005 shootout in downtown Toronto between rival gangs that killed 15-year-old Jane Creba and injured six others. Creba was shopping with her mother and sister on Yonge Street, traditionally one of Toronto's busiest strips for Boxing Day bargain hunters, when she was caught in the crossfire. The Crown said forensics had determined it was "very likely" he fired the bullet that killed the Grade 10 student, but admitted those tests were not definitive and that the bullet could have come from two other weapons. In 2009, Valentine pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was given a life sentence with no chance of parole for 12 years for a crime that became a flashpoint for the city's anger over a rise in gun-related killings. Valentine would have had to wait much longer than 12 years for parole eligibility if he hadn't pleaded guilty, Ontario Superior Court Justice John McMahon said at the time. The Crown says the Montreal case was put off until Oct. 23, following a brief hearing at the city's courthouse on Thursday. According to the charging document, Valentine was living in downtown Montreal.
