Zachary Armitage apologized in a Vancouver courtroom Wednesday for the “shocking” and “grotesque” murder of Martin Payne in his Metchosin home, before being sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 25 years.
“I’m disgusted with myself with the pain I caused,” said Armitage, standing to address the family of Payne, who was murdered in 2019 after Armitage and co-accused James Lee Busch escaped from William Head minimum security prison. “It’s horrific and disgusting and I hate myself for what I did. The pain you guys got from what I caused, I wish I could take it back.
“I’m haunted now because of this. I wish I could explain what’s going on now but you guys probably wouldn’t understand. I want you to know that I wish I could take it back. I’d give my life for his because of the pain I caused you guys and I’m sorry.”
Armitage offered to meet with the family through a program called victim offender mediation.
“And, somewhere down the line, if you want to reach out in a safe environment through them, ask questions, closure, if you guys want to do that, I would be willing to answer any questions. I wish you peace. I’m sorry.”
In November, Armitage pleaded guilty in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver to the first-degree murder of Payne.
On Dec. 15, Busch was convicted by a jury of Payne’s first-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 25 years.
The two William Head inmates walked away from the prison at low tide on the evening of July 7, 2019, and murdered Payne when he came home from work the next day.
At Armitage’s sentencing hearing, Payne’s daughters, sister and ex-wife delivered heart-wrenching victim impact statements, describing the 60-year provincial government employee as a kind, gentle man.
Outside the Vancouver Law Courts, Payne’s family said they welcomed Armitage’s apology, which was in stark contrast to the behaviour of his co-accused, who flipped his middle finger and swore at the family when he was convicted in December.
Busch is now appealing his conviction, arguing, in part, that the trial judge erred in finding that the taking of his DNA did not violate his constitutional rights.
“[The apology] was very meaningful and it felt incredibly genuine,” said Payne’s youngest daughter, Jessica. “That meant a lot to all of us.”
Payne’s sister, Colleen, said she thought Armitage had spoken from his heart.
“I was very surprised and was not expecting that there would have been a statement by him. When it happened I felt … that he was truly sorry for what he had done. … He regrets what he did. It’s really nice to know that. It helps.”
During the sentencing hearing, Colleen Payne described her brother as a unique, kind and gentle soul who loved his family deeply, loved his job with the provincial government and loved his cats.
She also reached out to Armitage in her victim impact statement.
“I can’t help but think that you’ve had a lifetime of your own trauma, pain, loss, anger and [that] has led you to court today. My sincere hope is that you will seek help available in the prison system to look inside your heart and soul and try to heal your wounds and your pain,” she said.
Outside court, she explained that she felt compassion for Armitage the first time she saw him come into court and realized he was really hurting for what he did.
“I thought I wanted to let him know in my victim impact statement that … he’s worthwhile. Somewhere in there, he’s worthwhile,” she said.
The trial heard that the two William Head inmates walked away from the minimum security prison at low tide on the evening of July 7, 2019. They broke into Payne’s home after he left for work at 6:15 a.m. on July 8 and waited until he came home from work around 3:20 p.m.
When Payne entered his home, they assaulted him and tried to confine him with duct tape but Payne fought back. They killed him with a hatchet and a bowie knife. At autopsy, the pathologist found he had died of multiple sharp and blunt force trauma wounds. Police later found a note with Armitage’s fingerprint which said “What is your PIN for cards.”
Justice David Crossin acknowledged that although he believes the Canadian criminal justice system is the best in the world, it cannot mend the family’s wounds or trauma.
“I cannot heal your hearts. Your own generosity of spirit, as we have heard from the sister of Mr. Payne, must do that for you,” said Crossin, who described the murder as senseless, shocking and grotesque.
“It was, I must say, absolutely cowardly without qualification. And I believe, Mr. Armitage, you well accept the description.”
