Suspect in 2011 homicide pleads guilty to manslaughter

Nicholas Webber, who faces a second-degree murder charge, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

The 19-year-old pleaded guilty at the Superior Court of Justice in Thunder Bay on Monday. Webber was one of four originally charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of 54-year-old Robert Topping. 

It’s alleged that the four suspects assaulted Topping when he had gone to help a friend during a break and enter at a Minnesota Street residence in March 2011. Topping was later pronounced dead at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Webber also pleaded guilty to break and enter, and robbery.

A two-day sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Jan. 2 and 3.

Police also charged 18-year-old Cody Thompson, who died last year while in custody, 21-year-old Christopher Hawk and 20-year-old Sheldon Wabason.

Hawk pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of robbery after it was determined he fled the scene before Topping was assaulted.
Wabason is due back in Superior Court on Wednesday for a teleconference regarding the next steps in his court process.



(Thunder Bay Television)