Jury recommends stiff sentence in Robin Greene slaying

A jury in Winnipeg has found Sydney Teerhuis-Moar guilty of second-degree murder in the 2003 killing of Robin Greene at a downtown hotel, and recommended he serve at least 25 years in prison before being eligible for parole.

A conviction of second-degree murder usually carries a minimum sentence of life in prison with no parole eligibility for at least 10 years.

Teerhuis-Moar stabbed, beheaded, castrated, dismembered and disembowelled Greene, 38,inside a suite of the Royal Albert Arms Hotel in July 2003, court was told.

Teerhuis-Moar, 39,was charged with second-degree murder, buthad soughta conviction for manslaughter, arguing he was too intoxicated to form an intent to kill.

The trial had a bizarre Hollywood twist a necklace belonging to actress Susan Sarandon was found in the hotel room where Greene was killed.

It had been stolen from the set of Sarandon's movie "Shall We Dance," which was filming in Winnipeg at the time of the slaying.

The jury was told Monday to pay careful attention to a series of disturbing letters written by Teerhuis-Moar.

Court of Queen's Bench Justice Glenn Joyal said the letters in which Teerhuis-Moar made crude jokes about the death and suggested necrophilia was committed are an essential part of the case and should be inspected closely.

The Crown suggested the details in the letters prove Teerhuis-Moar acted deliberately.

But the defence argued he was a victim of his own desire for fame and made up the details to make a better story.

The Crown acknowledged jurors digested a lot of grisly details in the case.

"This jury was remarkable," said Sheila Leinburd. "They have probably lived through more in two weeks than most people will in a lifetime. They were particularly attentive. I appreciate that and I appreciate how difficult it was to do that."

After all 12 unanimously convicted him, seven jurors recommended Teerhuis-Moar serve 25 yearsof a life sentence beforeeligibility for parole. The other five made no recommendation.

Sentencing is scheduled for Friday.