The court approved the life sentence of Michael MacKay, a Saskatchewan man in Canada, after killing his wife, Cindy MacKay, with a deadly drink of Gatorade and strychnine on Monday.
The court reported that Cindy died in February 2020 after drinking the concoction with strychnine, a toxic pesticide used to kill gophers and coyotes on farms.
Court Approves MacKay's Life Sentence
MacKay pleaded guilty and was convicted of a second-degree murder. A judge in Battleford, Saskatchewan, has established a joint recommendation from Crown and defense lawyers that he would serve ten years before he has a chance at parole.
According to the statement, MacKay had an affair with another woman for months before he killed his wife. Before MacKay poisoned his wife, he texted the other woman, "Goodbye will likely be in the next few days."
Then, the day MacKay poisoned his wife was when he drove his two daughters to school and returned to their farm to mix Gatorade and strychnine for his wife. Cindy woke up feeling unwell that day and was left with their youngest child in the house.
The court said that Cindy felt something off, and while brushing her teeth, the poison took effect.
MacKay called 911, and later on, the paramedics arrived. Cindy was put into cardiac arrest on the way to the hospital. She was taken by an air ambulance to a hospital in Saskatoon, where she died from multiple organ failure due to poisoning.
The doctors said strychnine makes a person's muscles contract intensely and painfully until the person cannot breathe and eventually dies.
The medical staff contacted RCMP as Cindy's death seemed suspicious. MacKay talked to the police and suggested that her death was suicide.
"Nothing can undo the pain and suffering," he said in court. He admitted his shortcomings as a husband to Cindy and as a father to his children.
Tyler Mack, Cindy's brother, said that Cindy was a genuinely great person and a wonderful mother to her three children. Krista Mack, Cindy's sister, added that she was relieved when MacKay admitted that he was guilty, and she believed that he was not truly sincere in the court.
She said outside the courthouse that he was faking his whole little performance in the court.
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Family Mourns Cindy's Death
Cindy's family were all wearing red shirts in honor of Cindy as Mackay continued to spread the word in their small community that she took her own life.
Her family members told the court she was a loving and compassionate mother. They also described Cindy as a talented nurse, a beloved community member, and someone who loves animals dearly.
They said that her death was painful, and it left them shattered and afraid. The family also said they could not go to the farm where MacKay lives, and he was with the children while out on bail.
Mack said that they feared something would happen to the children as they knew Mackay was capable of harming someone. Furthermore, he said, "If a husband can do this to his wife, what stops anybody?"
