Jury asks to rehear testimony, sent to hotel for the night in double-murder trial

Twelve jurors in a double-murder trial in Moncton began deliberating Thursday afternoon following several hours of instructions on the law and evidence by the presiding judge.

Justice Cameron Gunn began reading his instructions before 11 a.m., telling the jurors it would take "some time" to read the 136-page document. Instructions were completed and the jury sequestered just after 4 p.m.

The jury asked a question around 7 p.m. suggesting they wanted to re-hear testimony from three trial witnesses, some that testified for hours. The jury was sent to a hotel for the night and asked to clarify exactly what they're seeking when they return Friday morning.

Janson Bryan Baker, 29, faces two charges of first-degree murder. It's alleged he killed Rose-Marie Saulnier, 74, and Bernard Saulnier, 78, in their Dieppe home on Sept. 7, 2019. 

Baker was charged in 2023. The jury has heard from more than 30 witnesses since the trial began on Jan. 3 in Moncton's Court of King's Bench. 

The Crown alleges Baker was hired by a drug trafficking group to kill the couple's son, who lived with them, over a rift that had developed following police raids. 

The Crown alleged Baker cut a screen door, entered the couple's home, was confronted by the couple, herded them to a bedroom and then shot them once each in the head. 

Baker pleaded not guilty. He testified in his own defence, denying that he killed anyone.

Baker, the judge reminded jurors, is presumed innocent and had to prove nothing in the trial. It is up to the Crown to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, Gunn told the jury. 

"You've now heard all the evidence in this case," Gunn said as he began his instructions.

The judge said the evidence in the case may not answer all of their questions about what happened and why, but it is only the evidence presented that must be used to reach their verdict.

He said jurors can determine whether to accept all, some or none of the testimony from each witness based on how credible they find them. 

Gunn said the testimony of the two main Crown witnesses should be approached with caution. One, who cannot be named, received a reduced sentence for his own crimes.

That witness testified he spent time in prison with Baker in 2020 when, the witness said, Baker recounted killing the Saulniers.