One of three people implicated in the death of Mark Sweet and the subsequent cover-up was sentenced in a Bracebridge courtroom earlier today.
Lana MacDonald 54, was sentenced to nine months of house arrest and another six months under curfew. Last month she plead guilty to being an accessory to indignity to a human body after the fact.
Mark Sweet, 58, of Novar was reported missing to the Huntsville OPP in November of 2021. His burnt remains were found by police at a Gryffin Lodge Rd property in Huntsville the following month.
MacDonald was subsequently charged, along with the property owner Richard Pitt, 57, of Huntsville and Matthew Sturgess 38, also of Huntsville. Both of the men have also pleaded guilty. Today Sturgess’ sentencing was put over until March 14 and Pitt’s sentencing hearing is set for March 17.
All three individuals admitted to an agreed statement of facts during their January appearance in a Bracebridge courtroom.
Court heard that a tip to police led them to Pitt’s property but he originally denied any knowledge of Sweet’s whereabouts. However the officer noticed the human remains and an arrest was made.
Court heard that Sweet was a taxi driver in the area and would sometimes take Pitt to receive methadone. Sweet went to Pitt’s home in November of 2021 and the two men did fentanyl and crack cocaine, according to the statement of facts. The court heard that Sweet overdosed at Pitt’s residence, but Pitt did not attempt to contact emergency services. Evidence later determined he did not make attempts to resuscitate Sweet.
Instead Pitt reached out to MacDonald via phone calls and texts, and she advised him to administer a drug to revive Sweet, the court heard.
His body was found in a shallow pit, burned with the use of an accelerant, court heard.
MacDonald then contacted Sturgess to seek his assistance.
MacDonald took Sweet’s vehicle to a local auto wreckers, although defense lawyer John Sharkey stipulated this morning that MacDonald had no involvement with anything that happened at the Pitt property subsequent to Sweet’s death.
In fact, Sharkey said MacDonald was the “little bird” who had originally told others of what had happened at the property. Sharkey told the court that after MacDonald’s arrest she had been very forthcoming to the police about her involvement and what she knew.
Sharkey said MacDonald has endured a great deal of tragedy in her life and suffers from mental health issues. MacDonald had been under her house arrest for the past 14 months with “very restrictive conditions” said Sharkey, and had remained clean and sober the entire time.
An emotional MacDonald read a statement to the court apologizing to the family of Mark Sweet, some of whom were watching the proceedings virtually.
Justice Philop Brissette said MacDonald had made some very poor decisions in assisting Pitt and recruiting Sturgess to help. He pointed out that MacDonald has a criminal record, although many of the charges are dated and unrelated.
He commended her for pleading guilty and taking responsibility, as well as her cooperation with the police.
“This begins the next chapter in your life Ms. MacDonald,” said Brissett. “I think you saw the error of your ways early on. I wish you success down the road.”
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