Surrey Six killer loses bid to overturn murder convictions

B.C. Supreme Court has dismissed Cody Haevischer’s bid to halt proceedings over his convictions in the 2007 Surrey Six killings, leaving his six first-degree murder convictions in place.

Haevischer alleged an abuse of process. Justice Martha Devlin found most of his claims lacked merit, although she said some allegations were troubling or problematic. She ruled they either did not amount to an abuse of process or failed to meet other legal tests.

The ruling means Haevischer will continue serving six concurrent life sentences. The BC Prosecution Service says the convictions carry 25 years of parole ineligibility. He is also serving a concurrent 18-year sentence for conspiracy to commit murder.

Haevischer and Matthew Johnston had sought stays, alleging mistreatment in custody and systemic police misconduct. Johnston died in prison in 2022. Six people, including two innocent bystanders, were shot dead in a Surrey apartment building by Red Scorpions gang members.

In reasons released Thursday, Devlin said overturning the convictions and sentence would endanger, rather than protect, the integrity of the justice system.