Sudbury man sentenced for role in arson that killed three people
A Sudbury man has been sentenced for his role in a fatal townhouse fire in Sudbury, Ont., that killed three people.
Phillippe Jeannotte, a 36-year-old carpenter, is one of two men who pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the deadly 2021 fire.
At a hearing Thursday afternoon, Justice Patrick Boucher sentenced Jeannotte to 16 years in prison, receiving 13 years for each death to be served concurrently. He has been in jail since his arrest in April 2021 shortly after the fire and received three years of pre-sentencing credit, which includes a total of 125 days of lockdown while in prison during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has also been ordered to pay $250,000 in restitution to the City of Greater Sudbury for the damages to the geared-to-income units involved in the fire.
Jeannotte is one of five men charged in the April 11, 2021, arson at the city's largest family townhouse complex -- formerly known as Ryan Heights – on Bruce Avenue in the Flour Mill area.
In December 2022, he and one of his co-accused, 36-year-old Jared Herrick, pleaded guilty to three counts of manslaughter and one count of arson causing bodily harm.
Jeannotte was originally charged with three counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and arson – disregard for human life.
He is the second of the five accused to be sentenced.
Riley Roy, 27, pleaded guilty last fall to attempting to obstruct police. He was originally being charged with conspiracy to commit a break and enter.
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 Thursday.
Herrick has not yet been sentenced.
Another man, Liam Stinson, who is accused of murder in the case, has elected to be tried by jury. No trial dates have been set.
A 26-year-old woman died at the scene, a 50-year-old man and 33-year-old woman succumbed to injuries sustained in the blaze while in hospital and a fourth man escaped by jumping out a second-story window.
About 15 people were evacuated from neighbouring units.
Details about the case can't be reported due to a publication ban.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Northern B.C., Alberta and all of Ontario under 'high' to 'extreme' wildfire risk: What to know
There's a heightened risk of wildfires across the country during what has been one of the earliest fire seasons on record. From British Columbia to Nova Scotia, here's where the risk is highest.

'Tragedies occur far too often': Canada Safety Council shares swimming safety tips
With the summer swimming season fast approaching, the Canada Safety Council is reminding people to be careful and take measures to prevent drowning, especially after three children died just days apart.
Provinces must seek anti-smoking measures in Big Tobacco settlement: health groups
Three national health organizations want Canada's premiers to push for initiatives to reduce smoking during settlement negotiations with major tobacco companies, years after provinces sued to recoup health-care costs.
WATCH | Dashcam video shows out-of-control Nova Scotia wildfire
Dashcam footage shows the extent of the Tantallon wildfire as it raged in Hammonds Plains, N.S.
Body of 12-year-old Winnipeg boy who fell into Sturgeon Falls found
The body of a 12-year-old boy from Winnipeg who fell into Sturgeon Falls on Saturday has been found.
Giraffe at Calgary zoo died from a broken neck, investigation reveals
Officials with the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo have released more information about the death of Emara, a 12-year-old Masai giraffe, earlier this month.
Halifax-area wildfire still out of control, 'many' structures destroyed
Officials say a wildfire that began in the Upper Tantallon, N.S., area Sunday afternoon is ongoing and still not under control.
OBITUARY | Quebec actor Michel Cote, known for film and theatre roles, dead at 72
Quebec actor Michel Cote, who captivated audiences with his roles in the theatre piece 'Broue' and films such as 'Cruising Bar' and C.R.A.Z.Y.,' has died at 72.
Albertans head to polls in what's expected to be very close election between UCP, NDP
In Alberta today, the United Conservative Party is looking to win a second consecutive majority government while the NDP is fighting to regain the office it lost in 2019.