Killer Jeremy Hall’s partner in crime sentenced to 18 years in Niagara manslaughter case

A man who was the partner in crime of notorious Hamilton killer Jeremy Hall has himself been sentenced to 18 years in prison for a 2020 killing that took place in Niagara region.

Jason Lusted, a career criminal with 65 previous convictions, was handed the sentence after pleading guilty to manslaughter for the gruesome death of a 74-year-old Pelham man in an attempted burglary that went horribly wrong.

One of Lusted's previous convictions was for being an accessory after the fact to the 2006 murder of Hamilton's Billy Mason.

In 2013, Hall was found guilty of first-degree murder in Mason's death, granted an appeal in 2018, and then found guilty of second-degree murder in the 2020 retrial.

Lusted was one of the main Crown witnesses and described how he helped Hall lure Mason to a field to be executed then assisted with the incineration of the body at a farmhouse near Guelph.

While the Hall retrial was awaiting a verdict in Hamilton, Lusted was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the death of Earl Clapp, who owned and operated Niagara Farm Metal Products in Pelham.

In the early hours of Oct. 2, 2020, and despite being a suspended driver at the time, Lusted drove a friend so he could purchase fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Lusted then drove to Clapp's property because he wanted to steal an aluminum trailer. He cut the lock and chain to the gate and then backed his SUV up to one of the trailers.

Clapp awoke and went outside to investigate the noise. Lusted and his friend panicked, hopped in the vehicle and floored it.

Lusted then swerved the vehicle at Clapp, who was struck, pulled underneath and trapped under the speeding SUV for almost two kilometres.

A passing motorist found Clapp's body, which had suffered horrific and catastrophic injuries.

Justice Joseph De Filippis noted that 76 victim impact statements were submitted on behalf of Clapp from friends, family and business associates, and the judge said he could not do justice" to the sentiments contained in them.

These statements paint a picture of a remarkable man," the judge stated. Mr. Clapp was loved as a husband, father and grandfather, valued as a friend, and trusted in business."

The picture painted of Lusted was quite different.

From the age of nine, he was a Crown ward who lived in group homes until he was 16. He has a history of drug addiction, depression and learning disabilities.

In a 30-year period beginning in 1986, Lusted compiled 65 convictions and had been sent to penitentiary seven times. Twice he had been found guilty of escaping custody and he had several instances of parole and statutory release violations.

On five occasions, Lusted was found guilty of dangerous driving, and three of those involved times he was fleeing while being pursued by police.

Lusted tearfully apologized for the suffering he had caused because of his selfish act and defiance of the law."

I'll never forgive myself," Lusted said. I am deeply tormented by what I did."

About a month after he was arrested for Clapp's killing, Lusted attempted to kill himself in his segregation cell at the Niagara Detention Centre in Thorold. He spent three days on life support, according to his lawyer at the time.

In delivering his sentence, De Filippis noted that Lusted had a hard childhood and that he's a drug addict with some mental health issues but he is not alone in facing such burdens."

What sets the defendant apart is that he has lived a life of persistent criminality," the judge stated. His life is defined by a complete disregard for the law, court orders and public safety."

The judge said he accepted the sincerity of Lusted's apology but it comes too late."

Moreover, there is nothing in the record before me that inspires confidence in the prospect of rehabilitation," De Filippis stated.

The judge opted for a sentence of 18 years, which was the upper limit of what the Crown had suggested. Lusted's lawyer had been seeking a sentence of 10 to 12 years in jail.

De Filippis granted four years of pretrial custody credit, giving Lusted a further 14 years to serve. He was also banned from operating a motor vehicle for 20 years.

Steve Buist is a Hamilton-based investigative reporter at The Spectator. Reach him via email: sbuist@thespec.com