Mr. Soproniuk, 73, was stabbed eight times with an electrician's knife. He died after seven weeks in hospital, during which he suffered heart attacks, a stroke, kidney failure and breathing problems. In 1996 a woman told police in B.C. that a Victoria man was involved in the killing. This information was not followed up until January, 1999 when Edmonton homicide detectives interviewed her. The man, the son of a university professor, denied any involvement but was duped into confessing during a sting operation while he was supposedly being recruited by a large criminal organization.

The man was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to seven years in prison. The sentence, which would normally have been ten years, allowed the killer three years credit for confessing and for seven months served in pre-trial custody.