Man sentenced to 10 years in killing of Mission, B.C. couple

A man charged in connection with the double killings of a Mission, B.C. couple has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Thomas Robert Holden, 46, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Last fall, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder.

He was sentenced Friday morning in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster.

Justice Elizabeth Arnold-Bailey told the court "to conspire with others to kill people and then take steps to bring the killings about is among the most despicable crimes imaginable." 

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Guthrie McKay, 33, and Lisa Dudley, 37, had been dating seven months when they were shot multiple times in their Mission home in 2008. Dudley was the target.

"Mr. Holden is the link that ties the actions of those involved in carrying out the murders with those who were murdered," said Arnold-Bailey. 

The sentence, she said, "reflects the need to deter others from acting similarly to resolve difficult interpersonal situations." 

In earlier testimony, court heard that in the years leading up to her killing, Dudley had been a partner with Holden in an illegal marijuana growing ring. Eventually they had an affair. 

Relationship soured

The relationship soured and Dudley demanded property and cash from Holden. During the sentencing hearing last month, Crown counsel Jay Fogel told the court Dudley threatened Holden and his family. 

Holden hired a hit man for $25,000 to kill Dudley and instructed him 'if her boyfriend is there, kill him too."

The case made headlines when it was learned an RCMP officer responding to a shots fired call drove by the house and never got out of the car. 

McKay died instantly after he was shot three times, but Dudley was left sitting paralyzed in a chair for four days until a neighbour called police again. 

She died soon afterwards in hospital. 

In 2010, the B.C. Coroners Service promised an inquest in to the deaths once the court process concludes. 

Families disappointed 

Outside of the courthouse, the victims' family members voiced their disappointment with the sentencing. 

"I think 'how this sentence can act as a deterrent to others', I fail to see that," said Mark Surraka, stepfather of Lisa Dudley.  

"The judge was empowered, well within her rights, to sentence him to a longer sentence." 

Guthrie McKay's parents say their son was inadvertently drawn in to the dispute between Dudley and Holden. 

"I'm unhappy. It's just another case where if you want to kill someone, pay someone to kill them. You'll get way less time," said Guthrie McKay's father Pat. 

"The guy who kills get 25 years and the guy who pays him to do it gets seven years by the time he gets parole. It just doesn't seem fair to me."

Three other men are already in jail in relation to the killings. One pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and the other two pleaded guilty to manslaughter. 

Holden's sentence came after a joint submission by Crown Counsel and the defence.

"Incarcerating Mr. Holden for a long time will no doubt exact a huge toll on his wife, his daughter and his young sons," said Arnold-Bailey.

"That is one of the many unfortunate consequences of his criminal conduct."

Holden shook hands with his lawyer Mark Jette as he was lead away by sheriffs. 

He didn't look at this family in the courtroom's public gallery.