Man who killed Good Samaritan sentenced to 14 years in prison

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The killer of a Bradford Good Samaritan will spend the next decade and a half in prison.

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Brandon Aaron, 23, who was convicted of second-degree murder in the killing of David Goddard, 59, has been sentenced to at least 14 years behind bars.

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Goddard was stabbed to death on Sept. 4, 2022, after intervening in an argument between Aaron and his teenage girlfriend on Holland St. W. in Bradford.

The sentence was handed down by Justice Jill Cameron after a jury found Aaron guilty this past June. During the trial, Aaron claimed self-defence, stating he feared for his safety after being approached by Goddard, CP24 reported.

During the murder trial, the court heard Aaron had stabbed Goddard 20 times. Aaron was also convicted of assaulting his then-girlfriend.

Prosecutors told the court that Aaron and his girlfriend had been drinking in Bradford’s downtown core when the teen reportedly became angry with Aaron for losing his cellphone.

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Aaron held a knife to his girlfriend’s throat before breaking her arm with a flashlight used to help look for the phone. During the violent exchange, Goddard arrived and tried to intervene, but Aaron pulled out a knife and repeatedly stabbed Goddard, who was left to die on the side of the road.

The suspect’s lawyers argued the man was frightened by Goddard and provoked by his behaviour. Lawyers also said Aaron’s judgment was impaired by booze.

South Simcoe Police heralded Goddard as a Good Samaritan for his actions.

Goddard’s brother-in-law, Donald Ayers, told CP24 he hoped Aaron uses his prison time “wisely.”

“Whether you get parole is entirely up to you,” Ayers said, noting he hoped Goddard’s death was not in vain. “Please make up for what you did to Dave by turning your life around and make up for it.”

Upon release, Aaron has a lifetime ban from owning weapons and is prohibited from communicating with Goddard’s family.

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