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

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

Thomas RobertHolden,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 mostdespicablecrimes imaginable."

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GuthrieMcKay,33,and LisaDudley,37,had been datingseven months when they were shot multiple times in their Mission home in 2008.Dudleywas the target.

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

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

In earlier testimony, court heardthat in the years leading up to her killing,Dudleyhad been a partnerwithHoldenin an illegal marijuana growing ring. Eventually they had an affair.

Relationship soured

The relationship soured andDudleydemanded property and cash fromHolden. During the sentencing hearing last month, Crown counsel JayFogeltold the courtDudleythreatenedHoldenand his family.

Holdenhired a hit man for $25,000 to killDudleyand instructed him 'if her boyfriend is there, kill him too."

The case made headlines when it was learned anRCMPofficer responding to a shots fired call drove by the houseand never got out of the car.

McKaydied instantly after he was shot three times, butDudleywas 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 withthe sentencing.

"I think 'how this sentence can act as a deterrent to others',I fail to see that," said MarkSurraka, stepfather of LisaDudley.

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

GuthrieMcKay'sparents say their son was inadvertently drawn in to the dispute betweenDudleyandHolden.

"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," saidGuthrieMcKay'sfather 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."

Threeother men arealready in jailin relation to the killings.One pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and the other two pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

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

"Incarcerating Mr.Holdenfor a long time willno 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."

Holdenshook hands with his lawyer MarkJetteas he was lead away by sheriffs.

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