A Kingston man will spend nearly 10 years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to killing a Trent Hills man in his driveway.
It was a robbery over drugs that went bad and left a 43-year-old father of two dead.
Steffan Hache (age 23) pled guilty to manslaughter in the death of Scott McDonald who was gunned down in his driveway on August 18, 2018 in the Hamlet of Trent River.
Hache was one of three men charged in the killing.
In February, 2019, police arrested three persons from Kingston who were charged with second degree murder and robbery with a firearm.
Also charged are Christopher Hulsman (age 37) and Andrew Misztal (age 26).
All have been in custody since the arrests were made.
Justice Jennifer Broderick presided over the court.
Assistant Crown Attorney JulieAnn Barrett sat with Northumberland OPP Lead Investigator Dan Peters.
Defense attorney was Sean Ellacott while the defendant, Steffan Hache sat in the prisoner’s box handcuffed.
On one side of the courtroom were members of Hache family including his newborn daughter who was born while he was in custody.
There were a number of members of the McDonald family in attendance on the other side including his two children, parents, former spouse, relatives and friends.
On both sides of the courtroom there were tears throughout the proceeding as Barrett read the agreed statement of facts, followed by the victim impact statements read by McDonald’s daughter and former spouse.
Barrett stated how Hache has had “multiple convictions” and has also been convicted of violent crimes in the past.
“Drugs were at the root of it all,” stated Barrett.
“McDonald was set up for a robbery over drugs.”
Court heard how Hache was addicted to crystal meth and fentanyl and has made several attempts to get clean.
“A lack of money and need for drugs was a recipe for disaster,” said defense lawyer Ellacott.
Hache spoke directly to the McDonald family from the prisoner’s box.
“I can never be able to put into words how sorry I am for my actions.”
“I haven’t even begun to forgive myself.”
“I was high out of my mind.”
“I hate myself for what I did.”
“I need to change. I need to do it now.”
“I don’t want my family to go through anymore hurt.”
“A piece of my soul is missing since I did that.”
“Nothing I say will ever change what I did.”
“I am going to make my life better and deal with my addictions.”
Hache asked Justice Broderick if he could kiss his infant daughter, since he has never held, or touched her since she was born.
Justice Broderick stated in her remarks the gun was meant as a “scare tactic” to rob McDonald of the drugs.
When McDonald jumped Hache reacted by shooting him.
Justice Broderick stated that Hache has mental health issues and drug addictions. He has sought help in the past and there has been short periods of abstinence from drugs.
After sentencing Justice Broderick responded to his request by stating Hache robbed that from ever happening to Scott McDonald’s family.
“For me to permit that would be unfair.”
Justice Barrett agreed with the joint sentence from both Crown and defence and sentenced Hache to 11 years in a federal penitentiary.
For the time served, Hache will spend 9.5 years in prison or 3,541 days.
Below is the Agreed Statement of Facts read in Court by Assistant Crown Attorney JulieAnn Barrett.
Overview
The victim Scott McDonald, age 43, resided at 677 Church Street in the Municipality of Trent Hills. This is located north of Campbellford approximately five minutes south of Havelock.
McDonald was an active cocaine dealer and was well known in the area by local drug users as a cocaine supplier. On the date of his death he was actively involved in numerous drug transactions, both at his residence and at other locations in the area.
On August 18, 2018 at approximately 4:10 a.m., McDonald was shot in the torso in the backyard of his residence. He subsequently died from his wound. The autopsy revealed that he died from a gunshot wound to the torso, the entrance of the bullet being in the left lateral chest and exited the left chest cavity travelling through the diaphragm, spleen, stomach and liver. The direction of the travel of the bullet was from front to back, from left to right and downward.
Investigation has determined that McDonald was the victim of a robbery that led to a shooting.
Hulsman lured McDonald from his residence for a drug transaction at the Tim Hortons in Havelock. Hulsman and Hache planed the robbery to take drugs from McDonald and recruited Misztal to commit the robbery with Hache. The robbery was planned to occur after Hulsman had lured the victim from his home. It is unknown who obtained a firearm but it is clear that all three accused knew that a firearm would be used in the robbery and a firearm was in the possession of Hache when he and Misztal got into position outside McDonald’s resident that early morning of August 18, 2018.
The firearm is believed to have been a .22 caliber long gun and it was transported to the robbery in the truck of Hulsman’s car. It was not recovered by police. When Hache and Misztal were dropped off at McDonald’s property by Huslman and his girlfriend, the firearm was retrieved from the trunk and taken by Hache. When McDonald left his residence to meet with Hulsman at Tim Hortons, Hache and Misztal attended the residence on foot and waited for McDonald’s return in order to carry out the planned armed robbery. When McDonald returned to his residence after meeting Hulsman, he was shot and killed by Hache during the course of the robbery for drugs.
Detailed Facts
On August 6 and 7, 2018, Steffan Hache and Chris Hulsman attended the residence of Natasha Julia in Marmora. Ms. Julia was a drug user who often bought drugs from Scott McDonald and was friends with McDonald.
She also knew Hache from the Belleville area, having met Hache through another friend. It was at this time at Ms. Julia’s residence that McDonald was introduced to Hache and Hulsman.
On August 13, 2018, Hulsman texted McDonald identifying himself as “Shawn.”
Hulsman texted that McDonald’s cocaine got good reviews and asked to buy more. Over the next couple of days they had text conversations about arranging a meet. On August 17, 2018 and into the early morning hours of August 18, 2018, Hulsman texted with McDonald and arranged a meet-up to buy drugs on that date.
On August 17, 2018, while Hulsman was texting with McDonald to arrange a meet-up to buy drugs, at the same time, he was texting with Hache and a plan was formed to rob McDonald. There were text messages between the two about finding an accomplice or “wingman” for Hache for the robbery. The person that Hache wanted to help him was not available. Hulsman suggested Misztal. Initially, Hache said he would rather do it alone. Huslman commented by text that if they “run in the house and there is people there that an extra guy will be handy.”
Misztal was then recruited to commit the robbery.
On August, 17, 2018 at 8:40 p.m. Hulsman texted Hache to get his gear ready. On August 17, 2018 at 10:32 p.m. Hulsman texted McDonald and said he will head out in a few hours. Hulsman and McDonald then had a string of text messages over the course of the night and into the early morning of August 18, 2018. In these messages Hulsman arranged to buy cocaine from McDonald. Hulsman said he is with his partner (known to be Crystal Anderson) and that he wanted her to try the drugs to confirm the quality. While this series of text messages went back and forth, Hulsman was also texting Misztal, often immediately after he texted McDonald. Misztal had clearly been recruited to assist Hache in the robbery.
Hulsman asked McDonald to meet at the Tim Horton’s in Havelock. McDonald agreed to meet in the early morning hours of August 18, 2018. There were then a series of text messages between Hulsman and McDonald, and at almost the same time text messages between Hulsman and Misztal.
In the early morning hours of August 18, 2018, Hulsman, Hache, Misztal and Anderson traveled in Hulsman’s vehicle to the Havelock area. In the trunk of that vehicle was a firearm, believed to be a .22 calibre long gun, wrapped in clothing. It was brought to be used during the robbery as a scare tactic.
Police have obtained video surveillance footage from the Petro Canada and Tim Hortons in Havelock the early morning hours of August 18, 2018. Hulsman and his girlfriend Crystal Anderson are seen on video in these locations just prior to Hulsman meeting with McDonald. Hulsman is also later observed on surveillance video to be meeting with who is believed to be McDonald in the victim’s vehicle at Tim Hortons, for the purchase of cocaine as had been arranged between the parties. McDonald then left the Tim Hortons to return home.
After the victim met with Hulsman and the drug purchase was done, Hulsman then texted McDonald and made arrangements almost immediately with McDonald to purchase a much larger amount of cocaine and scheduled the time of the meet for 4:30 a.m. that same morning. Due to the murder, that meeting did not occur. When the victim failed to show up to meet Hulsman the second time there were no messages from Hulsman to McDonald inquiring as to where the victim was.
At 3:08 a.m. August 18, 2018 Misztal texted “we almost in position.”
In and around the time that the last message occurred, Misztal had been text messaging Hulsman. It appears he accidentally sent a message intended for Hulsman to another cell phone number instead. Twenty-four seconds after Misztal sent the text saying, “we almost in position” to the wrong person, he sent a text message to Hulsman. It appears Misztal realized his mistake in sending the text and quickly sent the next text to Hulsman. Hulsman was in Havelock at this time. The person to whom the text was sent in error responded to Misztal saying, “wrong person u msged that to eh…your in position comment must mean yer doin yer job with chris eh.”
It is apparent that the receiver of the text message was aware of the robbery that Hulsman, Hache and Misztal had arranged to commit on that night.
Police obtained video surveillance footage from the convenience store located across the street from the victim’s residence. There are several cameras, with on having a view of McDonald’s house and one having a view of the road in front of the store.
At 3:52 a.m. on August 18, 2018, McDonald’s car left his driveway. At 3:53 a.m., McDonald texted Hulsman that he is two minutes away. Within a minute of the car leaving the driveway, two person are seen on the video walking by the side of the general store and then in front of it. They appear to be holding illuminated cell phones. One person is holding what appears to be a long narrow object. The people on the video are dressed in dark clothing with white shoes. These two people were Hache and Misztal. They were armed with a firearm.
At 4:05 a.m., McDonald’s car was seen pulling into the driveway of McDonald’s residence. The brake lights of the car remained on. The phone records show that at 4:07 a.m. McDonald sent a message to Huslman agreeing to meet at 4:30 a.m. Hulsman then texted Misztal. (Content unknown).
At 4:08 a.m., the vehicle’s internal light goes off, then soon after a light goes on at the residence. It is believed the light goes on inside the house because the occupants heard the sound of the gunshot.
On Saturday, August 18, 2018, McDonald had acquaintances Amanda Ashford and Jason Mason staying over at his residence. McDonald had also had numerous other visitors to the house earlier in the night who came to buy drugs. He also made several trips to purchase more drugs and to sell drugs to various other people in the area.
In the early morning hours, Mason was awoken by a gunshot, and when he went outside he observed two males run from behind the residence to the road. This was Hache and Misztal leaving the scene where Hache had shot McDonald during the robbery. The two males yelled at him to get back inside the residence. He then went around to the side of the residence. He then went around to the side of the residence and located the victim who had been shot, outside the residence in the yard. At 4:10, a.m., Ashford called 9-1-1.
Police and EMS arrived shortly after and the victim was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced deceased. A post mortem examination found the cause of death to be a gunshot wound to the torso.
Police located a baseball hat and a cigarette butt at the crime scene. A match was made with the DNA Convicted offender databank. Hache’s DNA was located on both of these items.
Investigation revealed that the accused persons spoke of the events to various associates in the days following the homicide. Hache and Misztal admitted to associates that they were involved but they had not intended to murder the victim. The victim “jumped” and Hache reacted by shooting him. Hache told one associate that he had shot a person. In a Facebook message to a friend, Misztal sent the friend a link to a news article about the murder of McDonald. Misztal appeared to be upset at the fact that McDonald was a father. Misztal texted to the friend “remember that robbery I told you about,” “he had kids,” and texted a “crying” emoji. Misztal told another associate the details of the murder, including that it was a robbery that Hache had shot the victim. Witnesses told police that after the robbery, Hache had drugs from the robbery and said that McDonald moved to come at him and he shot him.
On February 7, 2019, Crystal Anderson was interviewed by police. She confirmed that she went with Hulsman, Hache and Misztal to Havelock on August 18, 2018. She was told that they were going to Havelock for a drug deal. Hulsman dropped off Hache and Misztal somewhere in the country. She thought they were just going to get drugs. Huslman and Anderson then went to the Tim Hortons in Havelock and Huslman met a male there. They later picked up Hache and Misztal at the same spot where they had been dropped off in the country. Hache and Misztal were saying that someone got shot and Hache said he was responsible.
Chris Hulsman
On February 6, 2019 Chris Huslman was arrested for murder and robbery. He declined to speak to counsel. He was interviewed on video. He admitted his involvement in the robbery and that he transported the gun to the robbery in the trunk of the car.
Andrew Misztal
On February 7, 2019, Andrew Misztal was arrested for murder and robbery. Misztal spoke with duty counsel. Misztal was interviewed on video Misztal admitted his involvement and presence at the robbery. He admitted that he knew the he was there to rob McDonald and he was brought there as back up during the robbery. He described the firearm as being a .22 calibre long gun, like a M16/AR15 and that it had been brought to the robbery in the trunk of Hulsman’s car wrapped in clothing.
Steffan hache
On February 8, 2019, Steffan Hache was arrested for murder and robbery. Hache spoke with an attorney of his choosing. Hache was interview on video. Hache declined to speak with police.
All three accused person have remained in custody since their arrests.
Victim Impact Statements
18-year-old Emily McDonald daughter of the victim, Scott McDonald
When I learned my father had died, I didn’t cry. Not right away. Instead I held my mother as she cried. After I mopped the floors I tried to crack a joke as I worked. It was until my grandmother, my father’s mother opened her front door and wept on my shoulder that the full weight of my loss sank in and in that moment something inside me broke. It’s a cliche, I know, but it’s true.
My father, my dad was a good man who went down a bad path. He taught me to be who I am instilling in me empathy respect fort nature, to never look down on someone just because they’re struggling. He taught me to understand other’s perspectives. He this by displaying it to me from a young age. I remember I was very young once, nine or ten and walking through Toronto with him. He offered a cigarette to every homeless person we walked past. I remember asking him why? He told me “it’s because I want to do something nice. I don’t have much change to hand out, and I’ve always got smokes. I can make someone’s day for twenty-five cents.”
That impression, that conversation left on me has never lessened.
My dad always looked out for others. Whether it was in his time as a social worker by taking in couch surfers, picking up hitch-hikers, he never like to see others suffering.
I can never replace what you took from me. I can never make you understand what you took. All I can do is learn from and cherish what he gave me.
I don’t know what trauma you’ve seen but obviously something led you here. It lead you to the cycle of addiction, violence and crime. I can promise you, your families hearts are breaking. I don’t want anyone else to hurt like this. Which is why I don’t wish harm on you.
I want you to get better. I want to see you overcome the struggles that lead you here. I want therapy and support for you. Please, if not for me, for yourself and your families, seek help and dedicate yourself to recovery. No one deserves this pain. I wish you recovery and health. Thank you.
Debbie Skinkle former common-law, separated prior to McDonald’s murder, but remained good friends
I wasn’t going to write an impact statement. I truly have very little emotional availability to offer. Coping day to day with our loss and the trauma is all consuming.
I don’t know the circumstances as to why you made the choices you did to take him away from us. I only know you could not have had the privilege to know him or we would not be here.
He was a loving son to his mother Marj and Len, his father Gord and Carol.
He was a devoted father to his daughter Emily and his son Adam.
He was a caring brother to Jeff and he had many friends, many life-long friends.
To know Scott was to love Scott.
He was kind. Whether he took the time to simply sit on the sidewalk with someone less fortunate and show them human compassion or work a 60 hour week at minimum wage at a Foster home, he would do anything he could for the less fortunate or the suffering.
He taught our children to be understanding and empathetic to all people.
He was grateful. He appreciated nature and simple beauty it has to offer when you take the time. To be in the woods showing his children, this was where he was most happy.
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Author: Pete Fisher
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