Whitehorse, Yukon — A Yukon Supreme Court ruling has sentenced 64-year-old Ralph Bernard Shaw to life imprisonment after his admission to the murder of two individuals, sparking a somber recollection of the violent spree that shook the small town of Faro three years ago. Justice Elizabeth Hughes determined Shaw will not be eligible for parole for 25 years following his conviction for the premeditated murder of his estranged wife, 42-year-old Saengduean Honchaiyaphum.
The tragic incident that culminated on October 26, 2021, also saw Shaw pleading guilty to the second-degree murder of 73-year-old Patrick McCracken and to an aggravated assault charge concerning Honchaiyaphum’s new partner. For McCracken’s murder, Shaw faces a slightly lesser term, with a set 17.5 years of parole ineligibility, a sentence that falls between the prosecution’s request for 25 years and the 15 years his defense counsel advocated for.
Additional punishment includes a decade-long sentence for the aforementioned aggravated assault. This particular sentence adheres closely to the defense’s recommendation and falls just short of the maximum penalty, highlighting the nuanced balancing the court sought between respecting legal precedents and weighing the specific details of Shaw’s case.
Shaw’s assault unfolded rapidly, claiming the lives of Honchaiyaphum and McCracken in less than 15 minutes and included a harrowing chase where Shaw shot Honchaiyaphum’s new partner multiple times. This violent spree did not stop with direct assaults on individuals; Shaw indiscriminately fired into multiple buildings around Faro, demonstrating what Justice Hughes referred to as “complete indifference” to public safety.
Despite these grave actions, Shaw’s acceptance of responsibility through his early guilty plea was considered a significant mitigating factor in the final rulings. Hughes remarked on a few serious aggravating factors, including the poignant spotlight on intimate partner violence and the broader trauma inflicted on the community of Faro.
The sentences for both murder charges and the assault will run concurrently, with the first-degree murder charge taking precedence in terms of parole eligibility and overall serve time.
During the court proceedings, which captured the attention of over 20 attendees and numerous others who watched via video link—including some from Faro—Shaw maintained a stoic demeanor. His lack of visible emotion was noted both as Justice Hughes delivered her decision and as he was escorted from the courtroom.
This case has not only brought grief to the individuals and families directly involved but has also left a lasting imprint on the community of Faro, which continues to grapple with the shockwaves of the violence perpetrated that fateful day in 2021. The ongoing judicial resolution serves both as a measure of justice and a somber reflection on the implications of domestic and communal violence.