TORONTO – As Marco Muzzo awaits sentencing for the impaired driving crash that killed three children and their grandfather last September, newly released court documents are providing more insight into his own background and the impact of the deadly collision.
A court-ordered psychiatric evaluation by forensic psychiatrist Dr. Graham Glancy asked Muzzo and relatives about his history with alcohol and his feelings and recollections about the fatal crash.
The report aims to discover “any issues relevant to sentencing and risk assessment.”
Here’s what we learned in the report, which was released to the public Wednesday.
Remorse over the crash
Muzzo “became tearful and had difficulty speaking” when asked about the crash, Glancy wrote.
The report adds that Muzzo expresses remorse for his actions.
“I think about it over and over,” Muzzo is quoted as saying. “Taking four lives… I feel… maybe there is a better word than f–ked up? I feel… troubled. I put myself in the Neville-Lake family’s shoes. Their family is broken. I think about how their family is ruined.’”
READ MORE: Marco Muzzo apologizes fatal crash; read his full statement
On substance abuse
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Glancy wrote that Muzzo “was educated about alcohol as a child,” and was allowed small amounts of wine on festive occasions such as Christmas. Muzzo said he “had his first real drink, a beer, at age 14,” and drank three or four beers per week in high school.
“Prior to his arrest, he consumed six to eight glasses of wine per week, always with a meal and in the company of family, friends, or business associates. He advised he rarely consumed liquor or beer,” the report says.
“He denied ever having used or abused recreational drugs.”
Recollection of the crash
Muzzo was holidaying with friends and family in Miami, returning to Ontario on Sept. 27, the day of the crash. He was up until 3 a.m. that day and had three or four drinks on the plane.
Muzzo “did not perceive himself as being drunk” as he walked to his car, Glancy records.
READ MORE: Marco Muzzo takes the stand, Neville-Lake parents leave court
He told Glancy that he was “not in a rush” and was “feeling happy.”
“The next thing he remembers is the sound of brakes squealing and a single vehicle in front,” the report says. “He remembers seeing the vehicle at the last second, hitting his brakes, and then realizing he had hit the vehicle. He remembers the air bags deploying and getting out of the car with difficulty. He reports that he ran immediately to the other vehicle to check the occupants. He reports that he saw some bystanders and told them to call 911.”
Muzzo pleaded guilty earlier this month to four counts of impaired driving causing death and two counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm. The Crown attorney is requesting a 12-year sentence while defence lawyer Brian Greenspan is seeking an eight-year term. Muzzo’s sentence is expected March 29.
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