A Calgary court has found a man guilty of second-degree murder and another of manslaughter on Sunday in the death of a prominent chef. Anthony Dodgson and Tommie Holloway have both pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder over the death of Christophe Herblin in the parking lot outside his cafe, which will open shortly on March 14, 2020. Herblin was executive sous chef at Glencoe Golf and Country Club for many years and his new restaurant was just weeks away from opening. The two men stormed the restaurant with plans to break the wall in the adjacent cannabis store, but fled when a car passed by. They later returned to continue their robbery attempt but were disappointed because the victim did not leave. Prosecutors say Holloway broke the windows of Herblin’s car to drag him back to the parking lot, so Dodgson attacked and stabbed him nine times. Herblin stumbled to a nearby gas station for help, but died shortly after police rescued him. After a day and a half of deliberations, the court found Dodgson guilty of second-degree murder, while Holloway was not found guilty of murder but guilty of the lesser and more common crime of homicide. Dodgson’s lawyer had asked jurors to find her client guilty only of manslaughter because he was bored with drugs and alcohol at the time and could not remember all the details of the attack except that he had been “arguing” with the victim. Holloway’s lawyer said his client had nothing to do with the attack and only broke the windows of Harblin’s car out of frustration, leaving before the attack began. A Crown witness testified that he had seen both suspects with knives earlier in the day and that they had both discussed attacking the victim to enter the business shortly before it happened. Judge Blair Nixon asked jurors if they had any recommendations regarding the appropriate release period for Donzson, who is automatically being sentenced to life in prison. The six recommended 10 years, while the other six offered no recommendation. The court ordered a Gladue report examining the conviction of an indigenous perpetrator for both Dodgson and Holloway. Holloway’s lawyer also requested a pre-sentence report for his client. The date for the sentencing is scheduled for April 22. Judge Nixon thanked the jurors for their service to the trial, which was scheduled for three weeks but lasted six. “By participating in this case, you were doing a great service to the administration of justice,” Nixon said. “On behalf of myself and of all Canadians, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your commitment to this issue.” This Canadian Press report was first published on April 10, 2022.
