By Ian Holmes

Life sentence, no parole for 17 years for shooter in Nanaimo hotel murder

Mar 27, 2019 | 3:36 PM

NANAIMO — A man in his early 30’s who brutally shot another man in the lobby of a Nanaimo hotel won’t be eligible for parole until he’s 49-years-old.

Brandon Tyler Woody, 32, was given a mandatory life sentence with no parole eligibility for 17 years at the end of his three day-sentencing hearing in B.C. Supreme Court in Nanaimo Wednesday.

Woody, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, shot Andrew McLean four times at point blank range in the lobby of the Howard Johnson Hotel early in the morning on April 19, 2017.

While the motive wasn’t made clear during Woody’s sentencing hearing, court was told the shocking murder caught on surveillance video was likely linked to McLean’s drug trafficking activities in Nanaimo.

Justice Paul Riley described the shooting as brutal, ruthless, cold-blooded and chilling.

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He discounted the argument Woody’s wife could be killed if he didn’t following through on killing McLean.

“In the end I have serious concerns about the credibility of Mr. Woody’s account. I cannot be satisfied that it is truthful or reliable,” Justice Riley said.

He also referenced a false alibi and inconsistent statements made to police about who ordered the killing as aggravating factors against Woody.

“The pre-sentence report states that Mr. Woody did not express any remorse for his actions…Mr. Woody did cast blame on the victim for his lifestyle saying “He wasn’t a good guy.’”

Woody declined to address the court when given an opportunity to speak.

He sat silently in the prisoner’s box just a few feet from his wife and the mother of the man he killed.

The chilling video of McLean’s murder played in court showed Woody sneaking up behind McLean and shooting him twice in the back with a handgun. Woody then leaned down and fired twice more into McLean’s head. The brazen shooting happened in front of the hotel night clerk.

Crown prosecutor Frank Dubenksi said the homicide of Andrew McLean remains an open investigation.

Both men had links to an Esquimalt apartment known for street level drug activity in the Victoria-area and the two were described as acquaintances who didn’t know each other very well.

Justice Riley said two other men were recently convicted of drug charges following a search of the Esquimalt apartment.

McLean’s mother Wanda Campbell told NanaimoNewsNOW she’s satisfied with the outcome.

“I’m kind of happy with it. It’s a long time to go without your freedom,” Campbell said.

Woody originally pleaded not guilty, then changed his plea in mid-February, which cancelled a previously scheduled trial.

Defence attorney Paul McMurray reported his client was the victim of three violent incidents in jail related to McLean’s murder.

McMurray requested Woody serve his time at Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford, which is to be decided by BC Corrections.

Woody was also handed a lifetime firearms ban.

His criminal record includes an armed robbery in Kelowna in 2011.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes