A Nova Scotia man has been sentenced to life in prison for his role in the murders of three people almost 12 years ago.
Michael John Lawrence, 37, of Windsor confessed to killing Charles Maddison, Kirk Mersereau and his common-law wife, Nancy Christensen, in 2000.
Lawrence pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder in a Kentville courtroom Tuesday morning under heavy security.
He was sentenced to life in prison after confessing to the killings.
"He took responsibility for his role in the murder of three people who died very tragically and violently…back in September 2000," said Crown prosecutor Peter Craig.
The court heard that 55-year-old Charles Maddison of Colchester County was headed to an appointment in Halifax on Sept. 8, 2000 when he picked up Lawrence, who was hitchhiking near Truro.
Lawrence told police he pulled out a gun and forced Maddison to drive to a secluded, wooded area in Hants County, where he shot the man twice.
He said he needed the man's vehicle because he planned to commit a robbery in the Halifax area, but that robbery never occurred. He later went back to hide Maddison's body. The truck was found burned a few days later.
"We are really pleased to have finally, after so many years, received some answers as to what happened to my father and to achieve some measure of closure," said Linda Maddison, the daughter of Charles Maddison.
Lawrence told police he and an accomplice took the same gun and went to Mersereau and Christensen's home in Centre Burlington the following day. He also admits to shooting the couple, after they were first shot by the accomplice.
Lawrence's parents say he was diagnosed with cancer three years ago, and while now in remission, he started reading the Bible during that time.
They said they could tell something was troubling him, and when they learned what, they encouraged him to confess to the crimes.
Lawrence admitted to playing a part in the murders while he was serving time in a Springhill prison for an unrelated robbery. The police visited him in prison to question him about the case when he confessed to the killings.
Today he apologized to the victims' families, saying "if I could live my life over, it would never have happened."
His parents say he takes full responsibility for the murders and they pray everyone involved can now find some peace. They met with the Maddison family in court today.
"Our hearts pour out to the families of all the victims…the Maddison family, the Mersereau family and the Christensen family," said his father, John Lawrence.
"We apologize for the loss that they suffered at the hands of our son and they were extremely gracious people and we're grateful for that," said Cindy Lawrence, the mother of Michael Lawrence.
Lawrence was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years for his role in the murders.
Curtis Blair Lynds and Leslie Douglas Greenwood also face charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of Mersereau and Christensen.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Jackie Foster
