Man behind deadly shooting in Faro, Yukon, sentenced to life in prison with 25 years without parole

The man behind a deadly shooting in Faro, Yukon, three years ago has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.

Yukon Supreme Court Associate Justice Elizabeth Hughes handed down the sentence to Ralph Bernard Shaw Thursday morning in Whitehorse.

Shaw, 64, He pleaded guilty this week. He was sentenced to first-degree murder for shooting and killing his estranged wife, 42-year-old Saengduean Honchaiyaphum, outside her home on October 26, 2021.

The charge carries an automatic life sentence and a 25-year parole ineligibility period.

Shaw also pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for aggravated assault for killing 73-year-old Patrick McCracken in the foyer of his home and wounding Honchaiyaphum’s new partner during the same shooting.

Second-degree murder also carries an automatic life sentence, but parole ineligibility can range from 10 to 25 years.

Hughes sentenced Shaw to 17.5 years probation for second-degree murder; Less than the 25 years requested by the Crown, but more than the 15 years requested by the defence. He also sentenced Shaw to 10 years in prison for aggravated assault, consistent with the sentence requested by the defense; however, this sentence was four years below the maximum allowed under the law and requested by the Crown.

The sentences will be served concurrently, effectively taking precedence over the first-degree murder sentence.

Hughes called Honchaiyaphum’s murder a “tragic and senseless death” and noted that McCracken was killed over a “perceived slight.” Summarizing the reasons for the sentencing decision, Hughes listed a dozen factors that aggravated the case; these include intimate partner violence, the murders occurring within about 15 minutes, and Shaw shooting Honchaiyaphum’s partner multiple times and then stalking her. Hughes said Shaw also acted with “total disregard” for the safety of others as he fired into buildings around the town, causing significant trauma to both the individuals and Faro.

Hughes said the aggravating factors were somewhat mitigated by Shaw’s guilty plea, which freed witnesses from having to testify at trial. Shaw’s lack of a prior criminal record and various health issues were also mitigating, he said, but to a much lesser degree.

More than 20 people were in the courtroom gallery for the verdict Thursday. Several people, including Faro, watched the hearing remotely via video link.

Shaw showed no visible reaction as Hughes read his verdict or as he was later led out of the courtroom.

‘I think justice has been served today’

Speaking to CBC News after the sentencing, McCracken’s wife, Barb, said she felt a sense of relief.

“I’m glad it’s over and I’m ready to go home,” she said, remembering her husband as a “great man” who was generous and always helping others.

“I feel like justice was served today. I’m happy with the outcome of everything.”

Honchaiyaphum’s longtime friend Kara Went also said she was “very relieved.”

“Our biggest fear was that (Shaw) would come back and harm more people in our community, so there is a huge sense of relief that because of his age and health, he will likely never be released from prison,” Went said.

But he also said he was upset that Honchaiyaphum had less than three months of “freedom” before killing Shaw.

Shaw and Honchaiyaphum met while teaching in her native Thailand in the early 2000s. Went helped Honchaiyaphum leave what she described as a highly restrictive, controlling relationship in early August 2021.

Describing Honchaiyaphum as “the most loving mother” and an “incredible friend” who “has a really sly sense of humor,” she said, “I wish we were on the verge of three years right now where she’s recovered from this.”

“He was kind of quietly saying something and you’re like, ‘Wow, Sang, where did you get that?'” Went said. “You say,” he recalled.

“And he was always apologetic about his English skills, but his English was fine and he was incredibly loving and kind.”

Went, who traveled from Faro to Whitehorse for the trial, spent most of her time crocheting blankets in the courtroom gallery.

He said he plans to donate them to Kaushee’s Place, a transitional home for women, gender diverse people and their children in Whitehorse, where Honchaiyaphum took refuge after first leaving Shaw.

“I hope these blankets go to other women experiencing domestic violence,” Went said.

“It felt good to keep my hands busy while I was in court and maybe do something nice for other women who needed to feel empowered for the next step they were taking in their own lives.”