Peter James Wilson

Case record: Peter James Wilson

Background

Peter James Wilson was 29 years old. He was from Abbotsford, B.C., and had both U.S. and Canadian citizenship. Wilson had been described as suffering from bi-polar disorder and having anger issues. His defence attorney, Ron Sergi, said Wilson’s bipolar disorder and anger issues were not deemed an adequate defence for the crime.

Clare Shelswell was five years old. She was Wilson’s five-year-old stepdaughter and was murdered while on vacation in Washington State.

Clare’s mother was Sarah Wilson. Clare’s biological father was James Shelswell. James Shelswell said he had been given time off work since the homicide and was focusing on his two remaining children.

The offence

Clare Shelswell was found dead with her throat slit. Police found her lying dead in a pool of blood at a holiday home in Hoodsport, Washington. Police said Wilson killed the girl with a knife found on the kitchen counter.

Wilson told officers that he knowingly killed Clare with a knife after having an argument with his wife about disciplining Clare and her eight-year-old sister.

Investigation

Police in Hoodsport said they arrived at the family’s rented vacation home shortly after 6 p.m. Sunday to find Clare’s body in a pool of blood on the kitchen floor, her throat slashed with a kitchen knife. A “stoic” Wilson was arrested at the scene.

A short time later, the mother heard a scream and went downstairs where she found her daughter lying in the kitchen clutching her throat.

Arrest and pre-trial

Wilson was arrested on June 27. The little girl’s body was discovered after police received a frantic 911 call from her mother, Sarah Wilson.

Wilson made his first appearance in a Washington court Monday, where bail was set at $3 million. He remained in jail on Tuesday. Mason County prosecutor Gary Burleson and public defender Ron Sergi addressed aspects of the case in court.

Trial

Wilson pleaded guilty in a Shelton, Wash., courtroom Monday to first-degree murder for slashing the throat of his five-year-old stepdaughter, Clare Shelswell. Wilson appeared calm and lucid and answered all questions from the court.

Ron Sergi, Wilson’s defence attorney, said Wilson made the decision to plead guilty on all charges to spare his family the agony of going through a trial and reliving the tragedy. Sergi also said Wilson fully acknowledged responsibility for the crime and pleaded guilty to first-degree murder with aggravating circumstances to spare his family the anguish of a trial.

The minimum sentence Wilson could receive was 22 years. Burleson said he planned on seeking an “exceptional sentence” because of the gruesome nature of the crime, the child’s age and helplessness.

Sergi said Wilson apologized to his wife and family, and that Wilson loved his family. Sergi said Wilson “lost control” and that Wilson “never saw this type of conduct coming; he was as surprised as anyone else by this . . . he asked for forgiveness, well aware he wasn’t deserving of it.”

“He apologized to his wife and family. He loved his family.”
“He lost control. He never saw this type of conduct coming; he was as surprised as anyone else by this . . . he asked for forgiveness, well aware he wasn’t deserving of it.”

Sarah Wilson delivered a victim-impact statement. She said Clare’s death was shocking and devastating beyond comprehension. She described Clare as a bubbly, smart, loving, creative, vibrant five-year-old girl whose favourite food was pickles. She said “Clare’s death has been shocking and devastating beyond comprehension to me and my family,” and that Clare would never celebrate her sixth birthday. She also said, “All I can do is trust that the sentence James receives today will reflect the significant and devastating impact of his actions and our tremendous loss,” after calling Clare’s death “senseless” and describing nightmares and counselling for her and her older daughter, Suzy.

“Clare’s death has been shocking and devastating beyond comprehension to me and my family,”
“I'll never get to take her dress shopping and she'll never attend her prom. I won't get to teach her how to drive. I will never see her off on her first date or help heal her heart with a bowl of ice-cream after her first breakup with a boyfriend.”
“All I can do is