When a Hamilton man stabbed his 16-year-old cousin Mark Bistoyong at a family birthday party in 2023, he ended one life, profoundly affected many more and divided a family.
One cousin says she can’t trust new people. A best friend says he’s plagued by guilt. A family friend says she’s now afraid of crowds.
They were among the 23 people who read victim-impact statements at the start of the sentencing hearing in a Hamilton courtroom on Dec. 18, sharing how Bistoyong’s murder has affected them.
“[Mark] was not only someone I loved, but someone I respected and admired,” his father Rino told the court.
He said the number of people who showed up to support his family throughout the court process was a testament of that. In total, more than 200 people prepared victim impact statements.
“That’s got to be the most I ever had,” Ontario Superior Court Justice Andrew Goodman said.
In October, Goodman found Laureano Bistoyong, 23, guilty of second-degree murder in Mark’s death. Laureano stabbed Mark in the chest with a chef’s knife as he sat eating on July 1, 2023, at a home on the Hamilton Mountain.
“I relive the events of that night over and over each time I lay down at night,” Mark’s mother Merl told the court.
She said she has strained relationships, severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder that impede her daily life. She and Rino both said they have been unable to work.
When Mark died, it was “like the sun went away,” Merl said. “Since that night, I don’t feel like I have smiled or laughed with deep happiness.”
Mark’s family expressed disgust with Laureano’s defence during the trial: that he was acting on an overpowering impulse after being provoked by a rough basketball game with Mark and several cousins.
The defence argued when Laureano stabbed Mark, he was guided by “physics” rather than intent to kill, and should be found guilty of manslaughter.
Merl described this as an attempt to “tarnish” Mark’s character and “weasel out” of a harsher sentence.
She told Laureano she thinks he was envious of Mark — a confident, successful, well-liked boy — whereas Laureano’s life “was going nowhere.”
“The misery you have inflicted on our family is worse than any sentence waiting for you,” she said.
Family mourns a boy who will never grow up
Rino said that since the murder, he’s felt a sense of powerlessness and loss of control. He said he’s cut ties with much of his extended family and no longer acknowledges any ties to Laureano, his cousin and god son.
“The bonds of blood do not guarantee love, respect, loyalty or protection,” Rino said.
Mark’s three brothers said they mourn the memories they could have had with him. The youngest said he was looking forward to having Mark come and watch his hockey games. Now, he goes by the cemetery after school to speak with him.
The brothers’ grandmother told the court she feels she can still talk with Mark sometimes. Sobbing, she said she finds herself angry with God and asks why she couldn’t have died instead.
Loved ones left feeling unsafe
Daniel Doyle, Mark’s friend, said the last time they hung out, Mark told Doyle he loved him. Doyle said he feels guilty he didn’t say it back, and worries he took his friend for granted. He said he’s also lost a sense of safety and worries he’ll be attacked when he goes out.
Several of Mark’s family members and friends shared similar fears.
His cousin Leah Legendre, who was 34-weeks pregnant when she witnessed the murder, said she’s been unable to trust anyone enough to form new relationships.
Merl’s sister said her young children now ask if family parties will be safe.
Court hears letters of support for Laureano
About 25 people wrote letters of support for Laureano. His lawyer, Jaime Stephenson, read several aloud.
Neighbours and family friends said he was a good kid growing up who had been through a lot due to his mother dying of lung cancer early in the pandemic. Some questioned his mental health at the time of the attack.
Laureano’s father Larry wrote the only explanation he can think of for the tragedy is that his son was unwell.
If Laureano gets help, “I am confident he can be rehabilitated,” Larry said.
He told Mark’s parents and siblings: “I just want you to know that my enormous love for you remains the same. I wish that I could come and hug each of you like we used to do.”
Sentencing hearing continues in January
The day ended with Goodman setting a date to continue the hearing on Jan. 10 and committing to scheduling a third day to hear more victim impact statements and sentence Laureano.
About 25 more people wish to read their statements into the record.