Sentencing hearing for Jonathan Pinsky set for JulyPublished Apr 07, 2025 • Last updated 4 hours ago • 4 minute readJonathan William Pinsky has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of his mother Delina Pinsky, 71, last Oct. 1. Her body was discovered Oct. 10, when police went to her condominium at Quingate Place in Halifax to do a wellness check on her son. Photo by Halifax Regional Police handoutA Halifax man has admitted killing his mother in a “fit of rage” last fall.Jonathan William Pinsky, 41, pleaded guilty Monday in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Halifax to a charge of second-degree murder in the Oct. 1 death of Delina (Lana) Pinsky, 71.Justice Josh Arnold ordered a presentence report on Jonathan Pinsky at the request of the defence and scheduled his sentencing hearing for July 2.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe conviction carries an automatic sentence of life in prison. Arnold will decide how many years Pinsky must serve – somewhere between 10 and 25 – before he is eligible to apply for parole.Crown attorney Stephen Anstey read an agreed statement of facts into the record Monday.The statement says Pinsky returned to the Quingate Place condominium he shared with his mother after work Oct. 1.“He was stressed from his day at work and was trying to relax,” the court was told. “His mother was angry and was yelling at him.”In an Oct. 12 statement to police, Pinsky said he thought his mom was angry because she had to yell too loudly to get his attention to turn on the subtitles on her DVD.Lana Pinsky went downstairs and informed her son he had to be out of the condo for good by 10 o’clock that night and refused to engage in any negotiation on the issue, the agreed facts say.Jonathan Pinsky told police he then attacked his mother in a “fit of rage.”He punched and kicked her, mostly in the rib area, before putting her in a closet, where he believed she was “already probably dying.”Article contentThe facts say he then got a knife and stabbed his mother in the neck, “still in a rage.” He claimed she was suffering and that he was putting her out of her misery.Pinsky believed that by the time she was placed in the closet, “even if we called the ambulance, she probably would have died still.”At some point, Pinsky said he also briefly attempted to smother her with pillows, but it “didn’t work.”After his mother was dead, he said he covered her with a blanket.On Oct. 9, Pinsky’s manager called Halifax Regional Police to request a wellness check on him. The manager had received a call Oct. 2 saying Pinsky would not be at work due to an emergency and had not been able to reach him since.The next day, two officers were let into the condo by the building manager, who had reported an unpleasant smell.The upstairs of the unit appeared normal. Upon proceeding down the stairs, the officers noted a large smear of what appeared to be blood.An officer opened the door to a storage room and located the body of Lana Pinsky on the floor, tightly wrapped in blankets or sheets.Article contentAn autopsy was conducted Oct. 11. Dr. Matthew Bowes determined a single stab wound to the left side of the victim’s neck had gone through the voice box and out the opposite side of the neck.There were a number of broken ribs on the left side, and the body was heavily decomposed.Later that day, police requested the public’s assistance in finding Pinsky, who was described as a “person of interest.”Pinsky was seen Oct. 11 by a co-worker who reported his whereabouts to police. He was arrested at 9:16 p.m. After he was handcuffed, he made an utterance that the knife was at the bottom of his backpack.On Oct. 12 beginning at 8:41 a.m., police took a cautioned statement from Pinsky in which he described killing his mother. Crown attorney Stephen Anstey speaks with reporters outside Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Halifax on Monday after Jonathan William Pinsky pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of his mother last October. Photo by Steve Bruce“We’ve been discussing resolution of this matter for some time,” Anstey said outside court. “We simply wanted to take time to review the disclosure that had been collected and all the evidence and to have discussions with the defence.“But, really, in fairness to Mr. Pinsky, he’s been looking to resolve this matter for some time. He provided a very fulsome confession about 12 hours after his arrest wherein he took full responsibility for what he did to his mother.”Article contentAnstey said he and co-counsel Sam Allen have agreed to make a joint recommendation with defence lawyer Brian Bailey for the minimum period of parole ineligibility, 10 years.“Mr. Pinsky has no prior criminal record,” Anstey said. “This is his first involvement with the criminal justice system.”He said the victim’s brother and one of her three sons have indicated they intend to file impact statements for the sentencing hearing.Lana Pinsky’s obituary said she was “a beacon of grace and creativity” and will be lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.“Known for her impeccable sense of style and boundless energy, she lit up every room she entered, especially on the dance floor, where her love for music and movement was infectious,” the obituary said.“Her true passion, however, was found in her work as the reading support co-ordinator at the North End Public Library. For over three decades, Lana devoted herself to connecting children with free tutors and mentors, ensuring every young learner had a chance to thrive.“Her unwavering commitment touched countless lives, leaving a legacy of hope and opportunity that will endure for generations.”Article content
Halifax man admits murdering mother in ‘fit of rage’
