Janson Baker found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder in couple’s death
Janson Baker has been convicted of first-degree murder for the 2019 killing of a senior couple in New Brunswick.
Janson Baker, aged 29, has been found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the 2019 deaths of Bernard and Rose-Marie Saulnier, an elderly couple in New Brunswick. The verdict was reached by a jury after deliberations began on February 26, and was announced in a Moncton courtroom on Monday evening. This case had drawn attention due to the tragic nature of the crime and the ages of the victims, who were 78 and 74 at the time of their deaths.
The couple was discovered dead at their home in Dieppe, New Brunswick, on September 7, 2019. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) pressed charges against Baker on the fourth anniversary of the murders, indicating the ongoing investigation and the complexities involved in gathering sufficient evidence over the years. Baker was arrested while serving time in a maximum-security institution at the Atlantic Institution and has contended throughout the trial that the prosecution failed to establish his presence at the crime scene.
The trial, which commenced on January 3, featured testimony from more than 30 witnesses, underscoring the high-profile nature of the case. During his defense, lawyer Brian Munro argued that the Crown's evidence was insufficient to prove Baker's guilt, leading to heated discussions in the courtroom. The verdict now sets the stage for sentencing, which could carry significant implications given the seriousness of the charges and the broader impact on community safety and justice for the victims' family.