VANCOUVER — Longtime United Nations gang twins David and Ryan Murphy, 42, admitted in B.C. Supreme Court Tuesday that they helped their criminal organization commit the killings of Jonathan Barber in Burnaby and Kevin LeClair in Langley.
Both twins were handed two-year sentences for their roles in the plot to kill the notorious Bacon brothers and their associates over several months in 2008 and 2009.
Associate Chief Justice Austin Cullen heard that the twins were nearby when Barzan Tilli-Choli blasted Barber with an AK-47 provided by David Murphy.
Barber had no gang involvement. He had simply been installing a stereo for one of the Bacons.
Barber’s girlfriend was seriously injured in the shooting.
Ryan Murphy was at the scene of LeClair’s fatal shooting by Cory Vallee. Vallee used a machine gun that David Murphy had been safeguarding.
They each pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly and unlawfully participating in a criminal organization — the UN gang — “for the purpose of enhancing the ability of a criminal organization to commit the indictable offence of conspiracy to commit murder.”
Lawyers for the Murphy twins and Crown prosecutor Gordon Matei made a joint submission for the two-year terms, noting there was no evidence against the brothers until they provided incriminating statements to the RCMP this year.
Matei also provided Cullen with two sealed documents that he said were a key part of the recommendation for the light sentences.
Cullen said that normally, the twins’ admitted crimes would warrant more serious charges and a tougher penalty.
“It is sufficient to note that although the two offenders played no direct role in the killing of the two victims, they clearly and knowingly played roles supporting the undertaking,” Cullen said. “Ordinarily, one would expect a more serious offence and a harsher sentence to be pursued in cases such as this where wanton gang violence has resulted in two deaths.”
But Cullen imposed the two-year sentences, noting there are “exceptional circumstances in this case which have resulted in these proceedings.”
Matei read an agreed statement of facts that provided new details about the nights Barber and LeClair were murdered.
It said the UN had been warring with rivals Jonathan, Jarrod and Jamie Bacon over drug turf since 2003.
Tilli-Choli pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kill the Bacons and was sentenced to 14 years. Vallee is awaiting trial for two counts of murder.
