Trial set to begin for another Sudbury man accused in deadly arson
The trial for the third murder suspect in the deadly Bruce Avenue townhouse fire that killed three people in 2021 is set to begin Monday.
Three people died in the April 11, 2021, arson: Jasmine Marie-Claire Somers, left, Jamie-Lynn Lori-Lee Rose and Guy Armand Henri. (File)
Liam Stinson was 25 years old when he was charged with three counts of being party to first-degree murder, being a party to an attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and being a part to arson with disregard to human life.
Fire crews were called to the housing complex formerly known as Ryan Heights at 4:45 a.m. April 11, 2021, and the blaze was later deemed an arson.
Three of the unit's occupants – Jamie-Lynn Lori-Lee Rose, Jasmine Marie-Claire Somers and Guy Armand Henri – died in the fire and a fourth person was badly injured but was able to escape by jumping out of a second-story window.
Stinson is the last of five suspects to be tried in the case.
Two men and are currently serving sentences after pleading guilty to three counts of manslaughter and one count of arson causing bodily harm.
One man received a 16-year prison sentence and the other received 17 years.
A third man pleaded guilty in 2022 to attempting to obstruct police in the case.
The same charges Stinson is facing were stayed against a fourth man, Fernand Bolduc, in September 2022.
Trial by jury
Jury selection was scheduled to begin at the Sudbury courthouse at 9:30 Monday, but didn't begin until after 12:30 p.m.
The accused was in the courtroom wearing a white dress shirt and black dress pants.
All of the potential jurors were shown a copy of the list of 87 witnesses.
The first juror was sworn in at 2:40 p.m.
As of 3:48 p.m., 10 jurors have been sworn in, three males and seven females.
Once 12 jurors and two alternates are selected, the trial will begin with Justice Dan Cornell presiding.
The trial will be the first time evidence and agreed facts in the case will be reported due to a previous publication ban and is expected to last seven weeks.
CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca will follow the trial and provide updates as information becomes available.
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
Sudbury fire crews at housing complex on Bruce Avenue formerly known as Ryan Heights following a deadly blaze. April 11, 2021. (Alana Everson/CTV Northern Ontario)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING FBI releases new image of Canadian former Olympian sought on murder and drug charges
The FBI has released a new image of Ryan James Wedding, the Canadian ex-Olympian allegedly behind a deadly international drug ring.
DEVELOPING Canada Post workers go on strike Friday morning, disrupting deliveries
Canada Post workers are on strike after failing to reach a negotiated agreement with their employer. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says approximately 55,000 workers are striking.
W5 Exclusive Police bust reveals stolen vehicles en route from Canada to Africa – with reprogrammed key fobs
In part three of a CTV W5 investigation into how car thieves are able to drive off with modern cars so easily, correspondent Jon Woodward accompanied York Regional Police on a bust to find clues in one vehicle.
opinion Canada's immigration crackdown could make for a more willing partner in Trump
Washington political analyst Eric Ham says recent immigration crackdowns in Canada could be the basis for a friendlier relationship with the U.S., during President-elect Donald Trump's second four-year term.
Debris collected after unidentified object shot down over Lake Huron in 2023
Newly released documents show the Royal Canadian Mounted Police collected wreckage after an unidentified object was shot down over Lake Huron in February of last year.
U.S. deploys facial biometric system at Peace Bridge border crossing
U.S. border officials have deployed an 'innovative facial biometric test' in select lanes at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry.
What to know about bird flu, poultry and dairy farms
People have been hearing a lot about H5N1 bird flu -- or highly pathogenic avian influenza -- since a B.C. teen became the first human to get the virus in Canada and is in hospital.
Insurers say bear that damaged luxury cars was actually a person in a costume
The California Insurance Department said four Los Angeles residents were arrested Wednesday, accused of defrauding three insurance companies out of nearly $142,000 by claiming a bear had caused damage to their vehicles.
Taylor Swift in Toronto: Highlights from Night 1 of the 'Eras Tour'
'Toronto, Welcome to the Eras Tour!' Taylor Swift told a roaring sold-out crowd at the Rogers Centre on Thursday night as she began the Canadian leg of her record-breaking tour.