Key trial witness says man accused of double murder confessed to killings

A witness in a Moncton double murder trial testified Monday that the man accused of the crimes admitted to the killings when they were in prison together.

Janson Bryan Baker, 29, of Moncton is on trial on two counts of first-degree murder. It’s alleged he killed Bernard Saulnier, 78, and  his wife, Rose-Marie Saulnier, 74, on Sept. 7, 2019, in Dieppe. Baker has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The fifth Crown witness in the trial that began at the start of the month began testifying Monday afternoon. He said he was serving time in prison with Baker in 2020, and they had a series of conversations about the alleged crimes. 

“He told me that he was responsible for a double murder that happened in Dieppe,” the witness testified. 

The name of the witness and other details about him cannot be reported because of a publication ban imposed by Justice Cameron Gunn.

Another publication ban imposed Monday prevents reporting significant portions of what the witness testified about.

The witness said Baker told him he went to the Saulniers’ home with another man, Zachery Trevors, but that Trevors believed they were only there to “scope” out the house.

The witness testified Baker told him he cut a screen door at the back of the Saulniers’ home and entered it disguised wearing a clown mask with red hair.

The witness testified Baker said the couple confronted Baker, with Bernard Saulnier telling him “You’re going to regret this.”

He testified Baker told him he directed the couple to get on their knees or to get down. 

“As they’re getting down, he shoots and kills them both,” the witness recounted Baker telling him. 

He testified Baker said Rose-Marie Saulnier put her hands up to her face and screamed. 

Crown prosecutor Brad Burgess asked the witness if Baker had told him anything about that scream. 

“Yeah,” the witness said, pausing for a few seconds. “He says he has nightmares about it.”