Judge Cynthia Lane recently delivered a sharp rejection of an apology offered by Maurice Houle during his sentencing for the murder of his girlfriend’s young son. The courtroom setting served as the stage for a final confrontation regarding the death of 3-year-old Matthew Maison, who was killed in 2018.
As reported by Court TV, Judge Lane made her feelings clear regarding the defendant, telling the 29-year-old, “I don’t believe you’re sorry for what you did,” and adding, “I think you’re sorry you were caught.” This sentencing marks a significant moment in a case that has spanned several years, involving complex legal proceedings for both Houle and the child’s mother, Amanda Maison.
The history of this case is deeply disturbing, as prosecutors revealed that the couple reportedly subjected the young boy to years of consistent abuse. Amanda Maison entered a plea of guilty to second-degree murder in 2025, while Houle entered his own plea in June 2026.
Both of them frequently abused the child
During her own plea hearing, the mother admitted that the pair frequently abused the child, which included forcing him into what they called a military time-out and pushing his head into a wall. The level of violence described by prosecutor Joshua Sparling was severe, noting that the child was bruised from foot to eyebrow.
Sparling detailed various injuries reportedly found on the victim, including petechiae from strangulation and damage to the child’s genitals. One specific piece of evidence mentioned was a very large nailprint directly underneath the chin of the victim, which the prosecutor noted was much too large to be the fingerprint of Amanda Maison.
Throughout the proceedings, Houle reportedly attempted to shift blame, claiming at his own hearing that the mother was the one responsible for the final act, alleging he had sent her into the room to shut the child up. His attorney, Jerome Sabbota, attempted to mitigate the sentencing by suggesting that Houle was not the actual person who committed the murder itself.
Sabbota asked the judge to consider a sentence on the lower end of the guidelines, arguing that 20 or 25 years is a significant amount of time for a man who is only 29. The attorney also noted that there is no guarantee Houle would be released after the minimum term, as the decision would ultimately rest with the parole board.
The grandmother of the victim, Amy Maison, reportedly stood before the court and directly challenged the narrative presented by the defendant. She expressed her belief that Houle was the one who murdered the child and that he had contributed to the majority of the bruising on the night of the death.
She specifically accused him of placing a pillow over the face of the child, stating that she knew this to be true from the depth of her heart and soul. She further remarked that it was obvious that both Houle and his mother had harbored hatred toward the boy from the very beginning.
When the time came for an apology, Houle reportedly had his attorney read a prepared letter. The letter stated that he was sorry and that he now realizes life is short. Prosecutor Sparling immediately challenged the sincerity of these words, pointing out that the letter claimed Houle tries to enjoy every moment of his life, while he effectively robbed the victim of his entire future.
When Houle attempted to offer a second apology at the podium, he struggled to explain his actions. He claimed that if he had known better, he would have come forward sooner, but he could not articulate what he meant when questioned by the judge.
He eventually retreated from his statement, claiming he was stupid and simply should have reported what happened earlier. Following these remarks, Judge Lane reportedly sentenced Houle to 31 to 60 years in prison for the murder charge, which will run concurrently with sentences for his assault on police officers during his arrest. Amanda Maison is scheduled for sentencing soon.
Published: Aug 28, 2026 02:30 pm