Defence concedes Ont. man's possible role in wife's death as sentencing looms

The defence lawyer for an Aurora man convicted of killing his wife following her disappearance four years ago conceded for the first time that his client may have played a role in her death.

John Sedo was found guilty of manslaughter in February.

The body of his wife of 35 years, Helen Sedo, has never been found.

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During sentencing submissions on Wednesday in a Newmarket courtroom, defence lawyer Tom Pittman said John Sedo maintains his innocence despite his conviction. Pittman said Helen's death "was an event akin to a near accident and not murder."

The defence said an argument over the care of Helen's elderly father likely escalated to a brief physical altercation.

"Inexplicably, there was a violent act with a tragic consequence of Helen Sedo losing her life," he told the court.

Pittman told the court John Sedo was a good man who did a bad thing., and in the aftermath, panicked.

He described the Sedos as having a loving marriage.

Pittman said his client's punishment would continue well beyond his time in custody, having lost the love of his children and family, adding that Sedo's family has since turned their back on him.

The defence told the courtroom Sedo would likely "disappear and live a life of shame, embarrassment and profound regret."

Helen disappeared in July 2020. Her vehicle was later found in a dense forest in Muskoka, destroyed by fire.

During Sedo's trial, those close to the Sedos revealed the couple was on the brink of a divorce.

Without a body, the Crown's case relied heavily on circumstantial evidence, detailing for the jury how Sedo covered his tracks, calling him a "methodical man."

The Crown told the court Helen's family deserved closure and to know what happened to her so they could properly grieve their loss.

When given the opportunity to speak in court on Wednesday, Sedo, shackled and sitting behind glass in the prisoner's box, simply replied, "Respectfully, Your Honour, no thank you."

The defence is seeking an eight-year sentence less time served in custody since his arrest two months after Helen was reported missing.

The Crown is asking for Sedo to spend 13 to 14 years behind bars.