Defence for Sault murder suspect to argue he was not mentally competent

The defence lawyer for Steven Jones plans to argue that he was not mentally competent when a victim was stabbed to death and a second was seriously injured.

A photo of the 22-year-old homicide victim, Taylor Marshall, uploaded to her social media account May 8/23. (Facebook)

Jones is accused of killing 22-year-old Taylor Marshall and stabbing Liam Frenette on the city’s boardwalk in unprovoked attacks in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., in September 2023.

His murder and attempted murder trial has been scheduled for January 2026. Jones, who is from Toronto, is represented by lawyer Andrew Furgiuele.

Court documents earlier this month said the defence expects to pursue an NCR defence, an acronym for ‘not criminally responsible.’

“Depending on the deterioration in the accused’s condition, it may also be the case that he is not fit,” the court documents said.

“Defence council is in the process of applying to Legal Aid for funding to retain an expert in connection with the NCR defence.”

In addition, Furgiuele is applying for a change of venue. That would mean Jones would be tried in another community to ensure an impartial jury could be found to hear the case.

Jones is charged with murdering Marshall, whose body was found Sept. 7, 2023, in a multi-unit residential building on John Street.

• Want more local news? Check out the Sault Ste. Marie page

“It was determined the victim sustained significant stab wounds resulting in their death,” Sault police said at the time.

“The victim and the accused were not known to each other.”

After the first victim was killed, police said they believe Jones headed to the boardwalk, where Frenette, the second victim, was attacked with a knife.

Yellow police caution tape cordon off a portion of the Sault Ste. Marie waterfront boardwalk. Sept. 7/23 (Mike McDonald/CTV Northern Ontario)

• Download the CTV News app now

Frenette was honoured by the Sault Police Service in May for fighting his attacker, who began stabbing him as he sat on a bench at the boardwalk.

“I got beat about the head and shoulders and stabbed an awful lot,” he said at the ceremony.

“I was told they stopped counting after 30.”

“He fought off the assailant,” Const. Emily Coccimiglio said in May.

“He held on to the assailant. And without his strength and endurance that day, who knows where the investigation would have gone. So, yeah, Liam is special. He’s definitely an unsung hero.”

• Get local breaking news alerts
• Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox