Rafferty sentenced to the mandatory, life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.
Michael Rafferty, 31-years-old, has been sentenced to life in prison with no possibilty of parole for 25 years. He also received 10 years each for kidnapping and sexual assault to be served concurrently with his life sentence.
At his sentencing, when given the opportunity to speak Rafferty only said, “I firmly stand behind not guilty.”
Remember 8-year-old Victoria "Tori" Stafford.
The jury in the Tori Stafford murder trial returned a verdict Friday evening of guilty on all charges against Michael Rafferty including first-degree-murder, sexual assault causing bodily harm and kidnapping.
Rafferty displayed little emotion as the verdict was read, only closing his eyes. Stafford’s family cried as they heard the verdict.
The trial lasted just over two months and started March 5th, there were 62 witnesses in the trial and close to 200 pieces of evidence.
Rafferty will be sentenced May 15th, but it is a formality as the guilty verdict carries a mandatory life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years. Tori Stafford’s family will have an oppportunity to read victim impact statements at the sentencing.
Rodney Stafford relieved the trial is almost over.
Closing arguments in Rafferty trial delayed until Monday
Earlier this week the defence in the Tori Stafford murder trial wrapped up its case, bringing a close to difficult and emotional testimony for the Stafford family.
There has not been such a disturbing and gut wrenching trial in recent Canadian history that has captured the public’s hearts and minds.
The crime was so violent, and the victim, 8-year-old Tori Stafford, was so innocent that it reminded parents around North America that no one is safe and that even in a quiet city such as Woodstock, Ontario anything can happen.
The focus of the Tori Stafford murder trial is starting to turn towards the defendant; Michael Rafferty.
The Tori Stafford murder trial has just wrapped up it’s fifth week. So far the court has heard testimony from the former girlfriend Michael Rafferty, Terri-Lynn McClintic. Family and friends have also taken the stand such as Stafford’s mother and schoolteacher.
But the one everyone is waiting to hear about is Rafferty. Not a lot has been said about him so far, aside from being involved in McClintic’s statement.
This past week, the focus has turned to him. The jury was shown photos of Rafferty’s home and bedroom, where there were numerous items including a knife handle, but without the blade. There were also items that connected him and McClintic, including boxes of hair dye that she used after the murder.
As Rafferty sat in court, he showed no sign of remorse or emotion when photos were shown of his house. However he did appear alert when they showed pictures of his Honda Civic, which had more items including another hammer and $935.
While it has been proven that Rafferty had an addiction to the painkiller, OxyContin, no one knew how often he used it. He said he took about four or five 80mg pills each day, or dozens of 40mg ones. He also would take 20-30 pills of Percoset, another highly addictive painkiller, each day if he had it.
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