‘There are no words’: victim impact statements in manslaughter case

The sentencing for Antony Centeno-So in the murder of Devon Cherry-Rooke took place in a London courthouse on Thursday, CTV's Nick Paparella reports.

During the sentencing hearing for Antony Centeno-So in London on Thursday, the court heard tearful victim impact statements from the victim, 31-year-old Devon Cherrey-Rooke’s two sisters.

Kassandra Cherrey told the court that her brother was a fun-loving and caring son, brother and uncle, saying, “There are no words to truly convey the depth of our pain and the void this loss has created in our family.”

The accused, Centeno-So, and the victim Cherrey-Rooke were friends.

Both of them had been involved in London’s drug subculture and living together at times at the same outdoor encampments.

However on August 7, 2022, that relationship turned deadly with Centeno-So chased Cherrey-Rooke through an east end parking lot near Dundas Street and Clarke Road.

In an agreed statement of facts, the court heard that CCTV footage revealed that the pair were talking to each other before an argument broke out.

The statement says that Cherrey-Rooke picked up a satchel and walked away.

But then Centeno-So was seen pursuing Cherrey-Rooke and pushing him to the ground. A weapon was produced. Cherrey-Rooke would die after suffering three sharp force injuries.

After the attack Cherrey-Rooke was heard saying, “I am dying, Tony!”

Emergency Crews then arrived on the scene and Cherrey-Rooke was eventually pronounced dead.

“With him missing our family puzzle will never be complete,” said Cherrey in her victim impact statement. “Our parents have been shattered by his death, they have had to endure this unimaginable pain.”

Both sisters acknowledged that their brother had struggled with drugs but that he was trying to get his life back on track. Pauline Cherrey stated, “The loss of Devon has left each of us grappling with grief, anger and a sense of injustice... He was taken from us far too soon.”

She concluded by affirming, “We seek justice in his name, hoping it will bring some measure of peace to our family.”

Originally charged with second degree murder, Centeno-So plead guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

The Crown is asking that he serve between eight and 10 years behind bars.

The defence is expected to give its submissions on sentencing when the hearing resumes on April 10.