A Kelowna jury has found Daniel Ruff guilty of second-degree murder.
The 65-year-old was on trial for killing his roommate, 51-year-old Warren Welters, with a hammer in June 2015.
Ruff claimed Welters had attacked him and that he was only defending himself, but the jury sided with the crown, which had argued that Ruff killed Welters as he slept.
Prior to sentencing, Welters’ two daughters, Ashley Sargent and Alyssa Wellwood, read victim impact statements that described the type of man their father was and outlined the pain and suffering they’ve experienced through his death, and the trial of the man who killed him.
“It’s no secret that my relationship with my dad could best be described as complicated but I had always hoped in time I could fix my relationship with my dad,” said Sargent “On June 14, 2015 that opportunity was taken away from me forever. I feel angry and resentful and filled with an incredible sadness that just won’t go away.”
An avid gardener and skilled carpenter, Sargent described her father as a funny, charismatic and incredibly thoughtful person who had a way of connecting with people.
She said she’ll never be the same with her father gone and that it’s been difficult to move forward as the trial and media coverage of her father’s death retraumatized her family.
“The past two years and 4 months have plunged me into a world of anxiety, which is new for me,” she said “I’m sleepless a lot of nights now from the stress of all of this and from the images in the my mind.”
Sargent said her family wasn’t notified when Ruff was granted bail and that counselling, promised through victim services, has not been provided.
Wellwood also said the loss of her father has had a profound impact on her, causing PTSD, depression and insomnia.
“There was much more to him than the picture painted about him through this trial,” she said “He had a beautiful heart and the absolute best sense of humour.”
She said a piece of her heart went with her father when he was laid to rest.
“I struggle to image a life without my father and knowing how much he will be missing in my life to come,” she said “I’m resentful for all the milestones he will miss with his grandchildren and for all of the things I’ll never have a chance to tell.”
Prior to being sentenced, Ruff turned to Sargent and Wellwood, apologizing.
“I’m just so, so sorry this happened, it was a senseless tragedy that should have never happened,” he said “I’m sorry girls.”
Outside the courthouse, Sargent and Wellwood said if Ruff was truly sorry, he would have told the truth about what happened.
Ruff was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 10 years.