Triple murder or manslaughter? Sudbury jury deliberating fate of man responsible for fatal firebombing
After a lengthy series of instructions from Justice Dan Cornell, a Sudbury jury is deliberating whether to find a suspect guilty of three counts of manslaughter or three counts of murder.
Liam Stinson, 27, is charged with first-degree murder in the case, which dates to April 11, 2021, at a townhouse on Bruce Avenue in the city.
Stinson has admitted he directed two men to throw Molotov cocktails in the residence, a firebombing that took place at 4:40 a.m. when the four people inside were high on drugs and asleep.
Jamie-Lynn Rose, Jasmine Somers and Guy Henri were killed in the fire. David Cheff, whose townhouse it was, was the only survivor and suffered significant injuries.
The trial heard that Rose was Stinson’s estranged girlfriend. The pair had a tumultuous relationship, which the Crown said was toxic and involved death threats.
The defence has admitted Stinson is guilty of manslaughter in the case, and of arson causing bodily harm. But they argue Stinson had no intent to kill anyone. He was extremely intoxicated that night and was “sending a message” rather than trying to commit murder.
In his instructions, Cornell said the jury must decide whether Stinson planned the firebombing with the intention to kill.
He said a first-degree murder conviction requires proof of a pre-meditated plan to cause someone’s death, or cause such severe injury that death would likely follow.
“Use your common sense” when deciding who to believe, Cornell said.
Only use evidence you accept and believe to come up with your verdict, he added. When it comes to witnesses who changed their testimony, Cornell said they have the option to consider whether they are not being truthful.
One key element is deciding whether Stinson was too intoxicated to form the intent to murder. Evidence showed that he had consumed alcohol and was smoking crack cocaine for much of that evening.
The jury was told that, at a minimum, they must find Stinson guilty of three counts of manslaughter and arson causing bodily harm.
Both planned and deliberate
But if they decide Stinson had the state of mind to commit first-degree murder of one victim, that’s enough to convict for first-degree murder for all three deaths.
“The murder must be both planned and deliberate,” Cornell said.
Four other men have already been before the courts for their roles in the fatal fire, including the two people who admitted to throwing the Molotov cocktails inside the townhouse.
They pled guilty to manslaughter and arson causing bodily harm. Stinson is the final suspect to be tried in the case.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It was hell': Israeli mother held hostage with her children describes 51 days in captivity
Hagar Brodutch, her three children and four-year-old neighbour were kidnapped by Hamas-led militants from their home in Kfar Aza, Israel on Oct. 7 and held for 51 days. They were released in November, but Brodutch says her thoughts are never far from those still being held in Gaza.
BREAKING Teen dies after being hit by train in N.W. Calgary
A teenager has died after being hit by a train in northwest Calgary on Tuesday afternoon.
'Unruly passenger' forces WestJet flight to make emergency landing in B.C.
A WestJet flight heading to Calgary had to make an emergency landing in northern B.C. Monday due to an incident involving an 'unruly passenger,' Mounties say.
New COVID-19 subvariants become the dominant strains in Canada
More than four years after COVID-19 effectively shut down the world, two new variants of COVID-19 have become the dominant strains of the novel coronavirus in Canada.
'It's his vacation too': Jimmy the baby goat joins 2-week road trip across Canada
After Jimmy the baby goat was shunned by his mother, a New Brunswick man took the kid on a two-week road trip across Canada.
The double-level airplane seat is back. This time, there’s a first-class version
It’s the airplane seat design that launched a thousand memes and kickstarted a media storm. And now the double-level seat is back – only this time, with a twist.
Widespread theft costing Canada's retail industry dearly: experts
The Retail Council of Canada wants to put a stop to widespread theft within the retail industry, and industry leaders are meeting this week to find solutions.
Former South Dakota mayor charged with triple homicide
Three people were shot to death in a small South Dakota town, and a former law officer who once served as the town's mayor is charged in the killings.
Debunking the 'anti-sunscreen' movement: Doctors say TikTok trend is dangerous
Dermatologists are sounding the alarm about misinformation from the anti-sunscreen movement, saying not wearing sunscreen can cause cancer and other problems.