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.
McClintic is already serving a life sentence - will Rafferty be joining her?
A London, Ontario jury that has been sitting in the Michael Rafferty trial began its deliberations today.
Michael Rafferty, who pleaded not-guilty, was charged with first-degree murder, sexual assault causing bodily harm and kidnapping of Tori Stafford, an 8-year-old Woodstock girl.
If found guilty of first-degree murder, Rafferty, 31, would face life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.
Judge Thomas Heeney instructed the jury today that they should review the facts of the case, and not let any feelings they have for the innocent child get in the way of a proper verdict. Earlier in the trial the jury was shown very graphic and disturbing autopsy photos of a beaten and half-naked Tori Stafford who was killed by a hammer.
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.
This week has been a somewhat quiet one regarding the trial of Michael Rafferty, the man accused of kidnapping, raping and murdering 8-year-old- Tori Stafford.
However, one of the major headlines sweeping this case is about Rafferty’s previous relationships with women he met shortly on the dating website PlentyOfFish.com, after Stafford was abducted.
Charity Spitzig met Rafferty on the website, and had the impression that her and Rafferty were exclusive, and was hoping it would lead to marriage. Falling for the web of lies that Rafferty was spinning, Spitzig testified that she worked as an escort to make money for the couple and gave Rafferty over $16,000 dollars in the months before Stafford went missing.
On the day that Stafford went missing, Spitzig deposited $500 into Rafferty’s bank account. Shortly after Stafford was abducted, Spitzig deposited another $100 into Rafferty’s account, saying he needed it for gas money, which was most likely needed to drive to the location where he would hide Stafford’s body.
Spitzig was one of the many women that Rafferty met online prior to the abduction. He also met Elysia Haid, whom he had sex with the day after Stafford was murdered. Rafferty also spoke with three other women on the same day, and got in at least one argument with one of them because he was seeing so many women.
Despite Rafferty’s promiscuous stage before and after the abduction and murder of Stafford, Justice Thomas Heeney told the jury that this information should not directly affect their verdict, as it does not have much to do with the murder of Stafford.
His exact words to the jury were, “All of this may lead you to believe that Mr. Rafferty was a philandering cad or worse . . . Whatever you may think of Mr. Rafferty’s character, it has no relevance to whether he is guilty of the crimes he is charge with.”
The trial will return on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, but the jury will not return till the following day.
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