Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario — A local man, Michael Finch, 39, has confessed to a violent assault that left one victim with severe injuries, involving a hammer and metal pipe. The incident occurred in the downtown area of Sault Ste. Marie on September 7, 2023, following Finch’s attack on a man he accused of assaulting a woman.
During a court session on Tuesday, Ontario Court Justice John Condon heard details from the assistant Crown attorney, Adrianna Mucciarelli, about the assault which involved Finch striking the victim numerous times with the weapons. According to Mucciarelli, Finch was heard shouting, “You like to hit girls. How do you like this?” The victim, significantly injured and unresponsive, was later treated at Sault Area Hospital but has been reticent in cooperating with the police further regarding the case.
For six months following the incident, Finch avoided capture by authorities but was eventually arrested on March 14 of the previous year. Alongside his plea for the assault case, Finch also admitted to several other charges, including assault against his partner, multiple threats, and breaching a release order.
The prosecution and Finch’s defense, led by attorney Sarah Tucci, agreed on a recommended sentence of eight months in jail followed by three years of probation. Mucciarelli highlighted Finch’s extensive criminal history and ongoing violent behavior. Tucci mentioned Finch’s addiction to crystal meth as a significant factor influencing his actions but assured the court of his commitment to rehabilitation. Finch has participated in treatment programs and is currently attending a methadone program to combat his eight-year struggle with substance abuse.
Finch expressed his remorse in court, stating his intention to live a sober and responsible life post-incarceration. “I’m ashamed of my actions and accept the consequences,” he stated, acknowledging his previous mindset’s role in his actions.
Justice Condon’s sentencing also included a poignant reflection on the irony of Finch’s actions — attacking a man for assaulting a woman and then committing violence against his own partner. Condon handed down the eight-month sentence but credited Finch for the time already served, leaving him with only 22 additional days in custody.
Further to his sentence, Finch faces stringent probation conditions set by Condon over the next 36 months, including no contact orders with the three victims and mandated participation in rehabilitative programs addressing anger management, substance abuse, and domestic violence.
To prevent future offenses, Finch is also barred from possessing any weapons for the next decade and is required to submit a DNA sample to the national database, ensuring closer monitoring of his actions and facilitating swifter justice should further incidents occur.
This case highlights the ongoing issues of domestic violence and substance abuse in small communities and the justice system’s role in addressing both punitive measures and rehabilitative opportunities for offenders.