39-year-old Justin Desautels of Dryden could receive a life sentence on Thursday after three vicious assaults and two deaths at the Arbour Jade Trailer Park in 2020.
Desautels’ final sentencing date is scheduled in Dryden courts on January 5.
The 39-year-old has previously pleaded guilty to two counts of Second Degree Murder, two counts of Break and Enter to Commit Robbery, and one charge of Aggravated Assault and Cause Bodily Harm to Peace Officers after the incident at the trailer park on March 2, 2020.
The charges of Second Degree Murder bring an automatic life sentence in Canada, but that sentence is up to the judge’s discretion.
Court documents from 2020 explain that Desautels broke into two homes in the Arbour Jade Trailer Park on McGogy Road that night, was in possession of crystal meth and later seriously assaulted three residents.
Officers initially received reports of a suspicious person in the Arbour Jade area around 10 p.m. They said when officers arrived, Desautels resisted arrest, assaulted two members of the Dryden OPP and attempted to take one of their firearms before he was captured.
Police then discovered the first victim, 78-year-old Mervin Harvey Brownlee, in his home. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
About three weeks later, the second victim of the assaults – Dorothy C. Brown – passed away from her injuries while in the hospital.
The third victim, who we have chosen not to name, lived through their injuries.
Desautels pleaded guilty to his crimes in August 2022 and appeared in Kenora Courts on October 19 for an initial sentencing hearing. He was later in Assignment Court in Kenora on October 31 and is being represented by Winnipeg lawyer Ryan Amy.
A publication ban that had been in place surrounding this case has been lifted.