Theriault plead guilty to killing his friend after arguing about who was the best weed dealer

Alex Kurial/Local Journalism Initiative

A Sarnia man will spend years in prison after killing his friend during an argument over who was the best weed dealer.

Matthew Gerard Theriault, 32, was sentenced to 10 years prison by Justice Bruce Thomas in Superior Court. Theriault plead guilty to manslaughter in November in the stabbing death of Jesse Mowat-Caudle. He died in April 2019.

Mowat-Caudle, Theriault and some friends were drinking at Theriault’s Maxwell St. home the afternoon of Apr. 17, 2019. After several hours an argument started between Mowat-Caudle and Theriault over who was the better weed dealer. Mowat-Caudle went outside to cool down and Theriault pursued him.

“What we know is that Theriault brought a knife with him from within the residence and stabbed Jesse Mowat-Caudle at least two times,” says Thomas. Mowat-Caudle was left with “horrific stab wounds.” Emergency services arrived around 4 pm and Mowat-Caudle was taken to hospital in London for treatment. He succumbed to his wounds early the following morning.

Sentencing was delayed to allow Mowat-Caudle’s family members time to prepare victim impact statements.  

“Jesse was obviously well loved and is desperately missed. A fun-loving and caring young man who was part of a close family unit that looked out for each other,” Thomas says. “As has been expressed in the victim impact statements, although the family chain is broken, he will live on in their hearts.

“This proceeding will do little to ease the pain or calm the anger in their family. I’ve always questioned the value of the criminal justice system in bringing what is often called ‘closure’,” Thomas continued. “But it will provide an end to this prosecution and hopefully some assistance in allowing the family to move forward, and I’m truly sorry for their loss.”

Thomas says Theriault has unresolved mental health issues and recommended an intensive anger management program while he serves his time.

Theriault has seven years and four months remaining after accounting for pre-sentence custody. He received a lifetime weapons ban, must submit a DNA order, and cannot contact any of Mowat-Caudle’s family members.