Sudbury, Ont., drug dealer being sentenced on three counts of first-degree murder

A sentencing hearing began Monday in a Sudbury for Liam Stinson, who was found guilty in May of three counts of first-degree murder and arson causing bodily harm.

The deaths took place in April 2021 after an arson in a townhouse on Bruce Avenue.

Jasmine Somers, Jamie Lynn Rose and Guy Henri died in the fire, while another person was badly injured. The case was heard in a six-week trial in May.

Witnesses testified that Stinson, a drug dealer, offered to pay two men with fentanyl if they threw Molotov cocktails into a townhouse where Rose, his estranged girlfriend, was staying.

Both men testified they believed the townhouse was empty, but the Crown provided evidence that Stinson knew it was occupied.

Three people died in the April 11, 2021, arson: Jasmine Marie-Claire Somers, left, Jamie-Lynn Lori-Lee Rose and Guy Armand Henri. (File)

On Monday, the court heard victim impact statements from five family members of the victims, as well as one from the director of housing operations in Sudbury.

“It follows you everywhere, you know, and strikes you from out of nowhere, too,” said Philip Wright, Jamie Lynn Rose’s father.

“It’s constant, the grief, and sadness … You’ll never get it until someone murders your loved one.”

'I am shattered'

“He didn’t deserve to die in this cruel way,” said Giselle Beaudry Trottier, Guy Henri’s mother.

“I am shattered by the flames that took my precious daughter,” said Lianne Somers, mother of Jasmine Somers.

“Due to the acts that Liam Stinson committed, my family and I have a void that can never be filled.”

Most of the sentencing hearing Monday morning was spent discussing a motion from defence lawyer Joseph Wilkinson, who argued that Justice Dan Cornell should recuse himself from sentencing and assign another judge due to the appearance of bias.

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The defence said Cornell received a letter from the lead investigator in the case, Det. Const. Marc Belanger, after the trial.

During Monday’s hearing, Cornell said he immediately contacted the judicial ethics committee once he received the letter and that he did not respond to the letter in any way.

Ultimately, Cornell dismissed the motion and said he would give reasons at a later date.

Under the Criminal Code, the sentence for first-degree murder is an automatic life sentence with parole eligibility after 25 years. The arson charge will be served concurrently.

The sentencing hearing will continue Nov. 1 with submissions from the defence.