A man who watched a brutal execution without flinching and then advised the killers on how best to clean up the crime scene was sentenced to two years in prison on Tuesday. The victim had been offered a “last meal” by one of his executioners.
“It was an execution and you were there. You did nothing,” Judge André Vincent told Everett Roger Clayton. “I’m really sorry, I was in shock. I froze”, defended the accused. “You helped them so they didn’t get pinched,” Judge Vincent continued.
“The actions that have been taken are horrible and so unnecessary. I can’t believe a person can let someone be tortured, beaten and killed without lifting a finger. It makes no sense besides being a cruel and heartless gesture. I have no empathy for you who broke my life, ”said Jimmy Méthot’s mother in a letter read to the court.
Everett Roger Clayton, 56, pleaded guilty to one count of accessory to murder after the fact Tuesday at the Montreal courthouse. He is the second co-defendant to plead guilty. A teenager pleaded guilty to one count of first degree murder last January in the Youth Chamber. Two other co-defendants are awaiting trial.
Everett Roger Clayton did not participate in the heinous murder of Jimmy Méthot on September 7, 2021. His role was limited to providing advice to the murderers on the best ways to clean up the scene and dispose of the body, found in a blue barrel filled with liquid and powder.
That evening, five people are in a residence in Lachine. Everett Roger Clayton is there with a 17-year-old teenager, a “close friend”, despite their age difference. Two other co-defendants who cannot be identified are at the scene.
During the evening, a conflict breaks out between a woman and Jimmy Méthot. The teenager hits the victim on the head with a glass, then hits him repeatedly. The woman then accuses Jimmy Méthot of being a spy. Later, the victim finds himself seriously injured in the neck.
After slamming him in the face, the woman asks Jimmy Méthot if he wants to have his “last meal”, a chicken pot pie that he will eat on the floor. The victim then begs his executioners: “I don’t want to die like this”. He then tries to run away, but the teenager intercepts him and beats him up.
In a fit of desperation, Jimmy Méthot tries to run away again, but is caught by a woman. Everett Roger Clayton leaves the room, as the woman stabs the victim repeatedly. Jimmy Méthot is dying. Two women go so far as to pour barbecue liquid into his mouth.
Under the guidance of Everett Roger Clayton, the body is wrapped in cloth and carried to the garage, then placed in a barrel. The next day, a woman texted Everett Roger Clayton to get some ice packs. The accused also advises the group on the best ways to clean up the blood. The house is thus cleaned from top to bottom.
In presenting the joint suggestion, Crown counsel Ms.e Jasmine Guillaume argued that the accused’s involvement was “very limited”. According to the defense, the sentencing range for such a crime is between 18 months and three years in custody. The accused was also under the influence of crack cocaine, Ms.e Anthony El Haddad, who teamed up with Me Benoit Demchuk.
Given the preventive detention, the accused has only 50 days left to serve.