A man who shot and killed an elderly couple in their Dieppe, N.B., home in September 2019 has been sentenced to life in prison.
Janson Baker received two life sentences, which will be served concurrently, for the murders of 78-year-old Bernard and 74-year-old Rose-Marie Saulnier.
Baker will have no chance of parole for 25 years and is prohibited from possessing weapons for life.
He also won’t be allowed to communicate with anyone who provided victim impact statements in the case.
Before handing down the sentence, Gunn asked Baker if he had anything to say.
“Not really,” replied Baker, who wore a long-sleeve black T-shirt and white pants.
“It’s under appeal. I’ll have my day in court.”
Gunn then addressed Baker directly.
“The evidence heard by the jury, which they must have accepted, shows that you took the lives of two elderly, helpless people in the sanctity of their home. You herded them like animals into a bedroom. You assassinated them for the price of a gold chain,” said Gunn.
The judge went on to say the obligation of people in society is to look after seniors.
“You care for them, you cherish them. You give them peace and comfort in their final years. You did the opposite. You stole from the Saulniers’ final years and you made their final moments one of terror.”
Several members of the Saulnier family were in Moncton provincial court for the sentencing Thursday. They left the courthouse wearing black T-shirts with red roses on them and politely declined to speak with reporters.
Baker’s family was also present, along with RCMP investigators who worked on the case.
‘Difficult and traumatic’
The morning started with Crown prosecutor James McConnell reading a prepared statement from Nadine Vosburgh, a family friend of the Saulniers, who discovered their bodies.
“That moment permanently changed my life. The shock and trauma impacts me every day,” she said in her statement read by McConnell.
Vosburgh, who testified during the trial, said she’s been diagnosed with PTSD and suffers from “nightmares and sleepless nights.”
After the murders, Vosburgh said she and her young son were relocated to a crisis centre and their lives changed forever.
She said they were considered “high-risk” victims and there was concern for their well-being.
“The entire experience has been extremely difficult and traumatic,” said Vosburgh.
Sylvio Saulnier, the younger of Bernard and Rose-Marie’s two sons, was also with Vosburgh when the bodies were discovered.
During the trial, court heard Sylvio had addiction issues and was involved in the drug trade.
Sylvio died in 2023, but foul play was not suspected.
‘We are shattered’
Bernard and Rose-Marie’s other son, Luc Saulnier, was the first to deliver a victim impact statement in person.
With his wife Diane Thibeault by his side and a justice facility dog by his feet, Luc said there were no words to describe the nightmare they have endured.
“Shattered. We are shattered,” said Luc.
He went on to say their health and finances have suffered over the years and they still live in fear and put chairs by their doors at night.
“We still have nightmares,” he said.
Luc said his parents were loved by many people.
“Nobody who lived the way that they did should have died the way they died,” he said. “This has changed us and our lives will never be the same again.”
He thanked the RCMP for their work and dedication and also showed gratitude to the prosecution team and victim services and their justice facility dogs.
“You all helped us during this trial more than you will ever know,” said Luc in tears.
Baker looked at Luc and listened during his six-minute statement.
Next up was Micheline Saulnier, the niece and goddaughter of Bernard and Rose-Marie.
She also had her partner by her side and a dog by her feet.
She said, not only did she lose her aunt and uncle, but a part of her parents too, as they haven’t been the same since the murders.
“And neither have I,” said Micheline.
Micheline said she thinks about the killings every day and it’s changed her life forever.
“I’ve had serious concerns and fears, not only for myself, but my whole family,” she said.
‘We’ve all been scarred’
After a brief recess, Rose-Marie’s sisters Linda Dupuis and Rachel Saulnier also spoke.
Linda called Rose-Marie a second mother to her.
“She was more than a sister to me, she was a great friend,” said Linda. “I miss the conversations with my sister.”
She said she suffers from nightmares, anxiety and other health issues.
Linda said the trial and court process did provide some closure, but she wouldn’t wish the whole experience on anybody.
“I miss her dearly,” said Linda.
Rachel Saulnier was very emotional and said her world was turned upside down when she got the news.
She was supposed to be playing cards with Rose-Marie and Bernard at their home the night of the murders, but stayed home due to the bad weather conditions caused by Hurricane Dorian.
“We’ve all been scarred,” said Rachel. “I am still in shock.”
She called the killings an unimaginable tragedy that has forever scarred her life.
“A crime like this can never be forgotten,” said Rachel.
The Saulniers were both shot in the head inside their home on Amirault Street in Dieppe on Sept. 7, 2019.
Baker was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder on Sept. 7, 2023, four years to the day after the murders. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The trial lasted two months with around 30 witnesses taking the stand.
While testifying in his own defence in February, Baker repeatedly claimed he was not responsible for the murders of the Saulniers.
“I am not a killer,” Baker told the jury.
After five days of deliberations, a jury of 12 people found Baker guilty of the double-murder on March 2.
Defence attorney Brian Munro told reporters after Thursday’s sentencing that Baker is indeed filing an appeal.
“It can take some time, it’s a complicated case. There were a number of legal rulings, there were a number of rulings that in my view are problematic and probably upon review reversable, but we’ll see,” said Munro.
Munro said he won’t be doing the appeal and isn’t sure when it will be filed, but it is in the works.
Munro said he did speak to Baker Thursday morning, but didn’t say what they spoke about.
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