Crown seeks fourth life sentence for Sudbury killer

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Sudbury prosecutor says Liam Stinson should serve another life sentence for the injuries he caused to the sole survivor of a fatal arson that occurred more than three years ago.

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He was badly burned as the victim, David Cheff, fled after his Bruce Avenue townhouse was set on fire early April 11, 2021, assistant Crown attorney Kaely Whillans said at Stinson’s sentencing hearing Friday.

For that, he must serve another seven years of life in prison with no chance of parole, Whillans said.

He said such a sentence would take into account that “(Stinson) ruined everyone’s life.” “He destroyed Mr. Cheff’s life…He caused serious bodily harm to Mr. Cheff.”

Three people were killed at the mansion that Cheff had arranged for Stinson to bomb over a dispute over drugs.

Stinson, 29, was found guilty of the deaths of Jamie-Lynn Rose, Guy Henri and Jasmine Marie-Claire Somers. He was also found guilty of arson for what happened to Cheff, who jumped out of the window to escape the fire.

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Stinson’s three first-degree murder convictions all carry an automatic sentence of 25 years in prison with no chance of parole.

Stinson’s fourth life sentence — if imposed — should be served concurrently with other life sentences, Whillans said. A concurrent sentence is a sentence of imprisonment that is served simultaneously with other sentences, rather than one after the other.

Stinson’s attorney, Liam Thompson, asked for a much shorter sentence for his client.

“A concurrent sentence of eight years is a just and appropriate sentence and nothing more,” Thompson told Superior Court Judge Dan Cornell. “There is nothing special about Mr. Stinson’s behavior that would justify a life sentence for arson endangering life…

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“Mr. Stinson is currently serving three life sentences, which the court will impose for first-degree murder. “The court cannot punish anything other than murder as murder.”

Thompson stated that the Crown chose not to pursue the attempted murder charge against Stinson and that this should be reflected in Judge Cornell’s sentencing decision.

But Stinson was convicted of arson causing bodily harm, a very serious crime, Whillans said.

The first part of Stinson’s sentencing hearing was held in August. Cornell will make its sentencing decision on December 11.

Given the opportunity to address the court at the end of the sentencing hearing, Stinson refused to do so.

A jury found Stinson guilty in May after a seven-week trial. Jurors heard Stinson told two men he set fire to Cheff’s home using a Molotov cocktail.

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Somers, 26, was pronounced dead at the scene, while Henri, 50, was later pronounced dead at Northern Health Sciences.

Cheff and 33-year-old Rose were taken to hospital in critical condition. Rose was later pronounced dead at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center in Toronto, where he was airlifted the day of the fire.

Stinson was arrested on April 20, 2021, and has remained in custody since then.

Four other people were charged in the case.

Jared Herrick and Philippe Jeannotte, who set the fire, pleaded guilty to three counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of arson causing bodily harm.

Jeannotte was sentenced to 16 years in prison and Herrick to 17 years.

Jeannotte and Herrick, who were both arrested on April 27, 2021, were initially charged with three counts of first-degree murder; one count of attempted murder; one count of conspiracy to commit murder; arson with no regard for human life; one count of breaking and entering and committing a misdemeanor; and counts of possession of an incendiary device.

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Co-defendant Riley Roy, accused of conspiracy to commit a break and enter, pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to obstruct police in the Ontario Court of Justice.

Roy received a one-year conditional sentence, which included six months of house arrest followed by a six-month curfew.

Meanwhile, the charges against the fourth defendant, Fernard Bolduc, were also postponed. A Crown attorney may temporarily suspend the prosecution of a case, called a stay of charges. The Crown can bring the charges back to court within a year, but it is rare for them to do so.

Bolduc, who was arrested on April 24, 2021, was charged with accessory to first-degree murder; being an accessory to attempted murder; participating in arson with disregard for human life; and conspiracy to commit murder.

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