Of the many cases we cover at Sudbury.com, the two that dominated the headlines this year are the arson triple homicide trial of Liam Stinson, and the second-degree murder trial of Felicity Altiman.
Stinson was convicted May 3 of three counts of first degree murder in connection with the April 11, 2021 fire that claimed the lives of Guy Henri, Jasmine Somers and Stinson’s estranged partner, Jamie-Lynn Rose. Stinson was also found guilty of arson causing bodily harm against David Cheff, who was forced to jump from a second-story window to escape the blaze.
Witnesses testified that Stinson offered to pay two men with fentanyl if they threw Molotov cocktails into a townhouse where Rose was living.
Stinson has been in custody since he was arrested on April 20, 2021, and he was sentenced on Dec. 11 to what amounts to four life sentences. Of the sentences imparted by Justice R. Dan Cornell, three are automatic: first-degree murder means a 25-year sentence with no chance of parole. For arson causing the bodily harm of Cheff, he was sentenced to life, with parole eligibility after seven years.
Felicity Altiman’s trial began Oct. 1 for a crime that occurred in late 2021.
Robert ‘Bob’ Keskinen, 77, was found on Boxing Day in his apartment at 517 Kathleen St. Forensic pathologist Dr. Kona Williams testified Oct. 11 that Keskinen’s body had 97 separate stab wounds and five incision wounds or slash injuries. The victim’s scrotum had been sliced off by a sharp instrument and his hands had defense-type injuries.
Following an investigation, Greater Sudbury Police arrested Altiman on Jan. 4, 2021.
The acquaintances Altiman stayed with that Christmas described her going to Keskinen’s apartment and stealing from him. Keskanen’s DNA was found on a pair of jeans that belonged to Alitman, and she was described by two other witnesses, one her brother, as being distraught in the days after Christmas 2021.
Though Altiman’s attorney, Stephen Hinkson, cross-examined crown witnesses, he did not offer any defence witnesses, nor did he enter any defence evidence.
His first and only submission to the jury was during his closing submissions. Hinkson contended that Altiman stole from Keskinen, and nothing more.
As Keskinen's time of death is unclear, and happened sometime between Dec. 24 and Dec. 25, 2020, Hinkson submitted that Altiman came upon Keskinen’s already dead body and decided to steal from him.
The six-man and six-woman jury deliberated for more than 12 hours over two days before they reached a verdict on Oct. 23, finding Altiman guilty of second-degree murder.
However, Altiman will not know her sentence until summer of 2025, unless another date becomes available. She is next in court on June 30.
Jenny Lamothe covers court for Sudbury.com