Northern Ont. man guilty of three counts of first-degree murder in Sudbury firebombing
The jury deciding the fate of a man responsible for a fatal firebombing in Sudbury found him guilty of three counts of first-degree murder Friday afternoon.
Following a six-week trial, the jury was tasked with deciding whether Liam Stinson, 27, was guilty of manslaughter in the three deaths or first-degree murder.
A fentanyl drug dealer, Stinson admitted he directed men to throw Molotov cocktails into a Bruce Avenue townhouse April 11, 2021, at 4:40 a.m., and start a fire inside the kitchen.
Sleeping inside was Jamie-Lynn Rose, Stinson’s estranged girlfriend, David Cheff, another drug dealer who lived at the townhouse, Guy Henri and Jasmine Somers.
Henri and Somers were living with Cheff, as was Rose, who recently moved in after ending her “toxic” relationship with Stinson.
While Stinson admitted to manslaughter in the case, Crown attorney Kaely Whillans and assistant Crown Alanya Jay set out to prove that Stinson planned to kill Rose in the firebombing, and so was guilty of first-degree murder.
The Crown had to prove that in planning the firebombing, Stinson intended to kill or cause such serious harm that death would likely be the result.
He was also found guilty of arson causing bodily harm to Cheff, the only person who survived the attack.
Stinson's attorney, Joseph Wilkinson, argued his client did not intend to kill anyone when he directed the two men to firebomb the residence and called no witnesses in his defence.
The case offered a close-up look at the drug trade in the city – both the people who sell drugs and those who use them. Multiple witnesses were admitted drug addicts who had difficulty recalling events. Some even changed their testimony at the trial compared to what they said in earlier hearings.
Three people died in the April 11, 2021, arson: Jasmine Marie-Claire Somers, left, Jamie-Lynn Lori-Lee Rose and Guy Armand Henri. (File)
Crown attorney Kaely Whillans, left, and assistant Crown Alanya Jay successfuly proved that Liam Stinson planned to commit murder in the April 2021 firebombing. (Darren MacDonald/CTV News)
The two men who threw the Molotov cocktails were fentanyl addicts who said Stinson promised them there was no one home at the townhouse that night, even showing one of them a text in which Rose talked about going to Timmins that weekend.
However, messages between Stinson and Henri that night showed he knew they were home and had sent Rose back to the townhouse with drugs for Henri and others.
The jury began deliberating Thursday evening after a lengthy series of instructions from Justice Dan Cornell.
After the verdict, Whillans said she hoped the families of the victims will find peace. She praised them for being present and committed throughout what was a long and complicated trial.
'Nothing I can say'
“There's nothing I can say to the families that will help with their pain,” she said.
“I hope that in some way this verdict at least (helps them) to move forward."
First-degree murder in Canada comes with an automatic life sentence.
Stinson has been in prison since his arrest April 20, 2021 and he will not become eligible for parole until 2046.
"Eligibilty does not mean automatic release," Public Safety Canada said.
The matter is scheduled to return to court May 21 to set a date for sentencing.
Correction
The original version of the article above incorrectly stated the judge would decide how long Stinson would have to remain in prison before becoming eligible for parole, however, people in Canada convicted of first-degree murder are eligible for parole 25 years after they were taken into custody.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'God forgives but we don’t': Loud outburst from stabbing victim’s family during sentencing hearing
An emotional outburst in a London, Ont. courtroom Friday disrupted the sentencing hearing of a woman who pleaded guilty for her part in the death of a 29-year-old Mohammed Abdallah.
How to keep insects out of your house, according to an entomologist and other experts
Now that temperatures have warmed up even more this spring, you may be anxious at the thought of bugs invading your home or you may already be battling the pests. Here are expert tips on how to keep them away.
Humboldt Broncos crash victims and families react to decision to deport truck driver
The family of one of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018 says they are 'thankful' for a decision by a Calgary immigration board to deport the driver of the truck involved.
Community mourns victims of fatal boat crash near Kingston, Ont.
The three people killed in last weekend's tragic collision between a speedboat and a fishing boat north of Kingston are being remembered Friday.
A woman took her dog to a shelter to be euthanized. A year later, the dog is up for adoption again
Exhausted and short on options after consulting two veterinary clinics, Kristie Pereira made the gut-wrenching decision last year to take her desperately ill puppy to a Maryland shelter to be euthanized.
Ford thanks Ottawa as minister cites 'deep concerns' over Toronto's decriminalization
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is thanking the federal government for rejecting Toronto's long-stalled pitch to decriminalize the possession of illegal drugs.
What we know about the young missionaries and religious leader killed in Haiti
The local director of a mission group in Haiti and a missionary couple from the U.S. were attacked and fatally shot by gang members after leaving a youth group activity at a church, a family member told The Associated Press.
After toddler's near drowning in backyard pool, Quebec mom has warning for parents
A Quebec mother who saved her child from the bottom of a backyard pool last weekend has a message for other families.
'Quiet vacationing': Surveys show workers don't use all of their vacation days, play hooky
'Quiet vacationing' is the latest new term to describe the rough edges of office culture, and survey data shows it's widespread among North American workers.