Crown seeks 18-year sentence in fatal Sudbury arson case
The second man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection to the fatal 2021 townhouse fire that killed three people in Sudbury's Flour Mill area will have to wait a little longer to receive his sentence.
Jamie-Lynn Lori-Lee Rose, Jasmine Marie-Claire Somers and Guy Armand Henri died as a result of the deadly fire in the early morning of April 11, 2021, at Ryan Heights on Bruce Avenue. A fourth person was able to escape the home by jumping out of a window.
Jared Herrick and accomplice Philippe Jeannotte were both originally charged with three counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, arson and conspiracy to commit murder alongside two others – Liam Stinson and Fernand Bolduc.
In jail since their April 2021 arrest, both Herrick and Jeannotte pleaded guilty last December to three counts of the lesser charge of manslaughter and one count of arson causing bodily harm.
SENTENCING
Herrick's sentencing hearing began earlier this week, with the victim's families delivering impact statements on the devastating loss of their loved ones, and continued Friday.
During the hearing, the accused sat next to his attorney at the defence table rather than in the prisoner's box wearing a gray long-sleeved shirt and black vest.
Defence lawyer Len Walker argued on Wednesday Herrick should receive a 13-year sentence for his role in the fatal fire.
In addition to the Duncan credit of 1.5 days for each day served in pre-sentence custody, Walker asked for 55 days of enhanced credit for lockdowns due to COVID-19 and jail short staffing.
In his closing argument Friday, Crown attorney David Kirk initially asked the judge to consider a 20-year sentence less time served, a lifetime weapons ban, non-communication order and for the accused to submit DNA to the national data bank.
After a discussion with Walker and a one-hour recess, Kirk revised the Crown's ask to an 18-year sentence due to previous discussions with the defence.
"I'm here to take responsibility for my role in the arson that took the lives of Jamie-Lynn Rose, Jasmine Somers, Guy Henri," Herrick said during his address to the court Friday afternoon.
"I'd like to shift my attention first to their family and friends by deeply apologizing for my choices and actions. There are no words to genuinely express my sorrow for the agonizing grief and heartache we have caused. If I could trade my life for them, I would. This is a violent and despicable crime that should not have happened in the first place. I want you to know that I'm doing 'double time' because I am haunted with guilt by visions and dreams of what must have been their horrific final moments."
He went on to explain his experience with fentanyl addiction that led him to be involved in the horrific fire and said he feels like a totally different person after spending the last two and half years behind bars.
"All I can think to do is to take the time that I get and turn it into a transitional period. I am not focused on a release date, only the opportunities that lie ahead and in my own personal goals," Herrick said.
"The price of liberty for me is eternal vigilance. I owe that to Guy, Jamie and Jasmine. They will forever be my inspiration to change my life and perhaps one day I can offer guidance to someone as lost as I was."
After Herrick's address, Justice Patrick Boucher said he needed more time and reserved his final sentencing decision.
Scheduling for the judge's decision is expected to be completed by the Aug. 1 assignment court hearing.
CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca will continue to follow the story and provide updates.
OTHER SUSPECTS IN THE CASE
In March, Jeannotte was sentenced to 16 years in prison – receiving 13 years for each death to be served concurrently – and ordered to pay the City of Greater Sudbury $250,000 in restitution for damage to the geared-to-income units damaged by the fire. He received three years of credit for pre-sentencing custody, including 125 days of lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Charges against Fernand Bolduc were stayed Sept. 15, 2022, and will be held for a year to give the Crown time to get more evidence, a Sudbury court clerk told CTV News on the phone in March.
Also, last fall, a fifth man -- Riley Roy -- pleaded guilty to attempting to obstruct police in the case after originally being charged with conspiracy to commit a break-and-enter.
A publication ban on details of what happened the night of the fire is in place until the trial of the final suspect in the case, Liam Stinson, who is expected to go on trial next year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
More than half of Canadians say freedom of speech is under threat, new poll suggests
A new poll suggests a majority of Canadians feel their right to freedom of speech is in danger.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Police move in to clear NYU encampment, U.S. campus arrests grow to 2,200 in pro-Palestinian protests
Police moved in to clear an encampment at New York University on Friday at the request of school officials, a move that follows weeks of pro-Palestinian protests at college campuses nationwide that have resulted in nearly 2,200 arrests by police.
Feds giving Toronto more than $104M to host 2026 FIFA World Cup
The federal government will provide Toronto just over $104 million in funding to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Wally, the emotional support alligator once denied entry to a baseball game, is missing
Emotional support animal registrations in the United States reached 115,832 last year, by an industry group’s count. But in the eyes of reptile rescuer Joie Henney, there’s only one: 'Wally Gator.'
Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.
Drew Barrymore explains how she accidentally left a list of her romantic partners at Danny DeVito's house
Danny DeVito had the opportunity to know way more about Drew Barrymore than the rest of us.
'Bare-adise' adventure: This nude cruise is due to set sail from Miami in 2025
What do you need to pack for a cruise? When it comes to this upcoming cruise from tour and travel company Bare Necessities, the answer appears to be very little.