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.

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.