Janson Baker, 29, has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for at least 25 years. The sentence follows a March jury conviction on two counts of first-degree murder for the 2019 deaths of Bernard Saulnier, 78, and Rose-Marie Saulnier, 74.
A Brutal Assassination
Justice Cameron Gunn described the killings as an assassination, noting that Baker “herded them like animals into a bedroom.” The judge stated that the victims were killed in the sanctity of their Dieppe home for the price of a gold chain.
The court heard that Baker was directed by a drug trafficking group to find and kill the couple’s son, Sylvio Saulnier. Members of the group believed Sylvio, who lived with his parents and was involved with the group, may have been a police informant or had stolen from them.
The Impact on Survivors
During the sentencing, family members expressed their profound grief, with some wearing shirts featuring a red rose to honor Rose-Marie. Luc Saulnier, the couple’s eldest son, told the court that the family is “shattered.”
Rachel Saulnier described her world as being “turned upside down” after losing her sister and confidante. She noted that she had not visited the couple on September 6, 2019, due to Hurricane Dorian, just before Baker broke into the home at 2 a.m. The following morning.
Nadine Vosburgh, who discovered the bodies, stated she remains haunted by the event. Vosburgh, who had dated Sylvio Saulnier, reported being threatened and spent two years in a crisis support centre wearing a panic button for her safety.
Legal Proceedings and Future Outlook
Because first-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence, Justice Gunn imposed the term with no parole for 25 years. The sentences for the two murders will be served concurrently, and Baker is ordered to have no contact with members of the Saulnier family.
The legal process for Baker may continue as his defence lawyer, Brian Munro, has stated the case will be appealed. Baker himself told the court he would “have my day in court” regarding the appeal.
Baker could face further legal action as he is one of five people charged with conspiring to kill Sylvio Saulnier. While no trial date has been set for that case, Baker is already serving a prison sentence for a January 2021 shooting of a teacher in Riverview.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the motive for the murders of Bernard and Rose-Marie Saulnier?
Baker was directed by a drug trafficking group to kill the couple’s son, Sylvio Saulnier, because the group suspected he had stolen from them or was a police informant. Baker was paid with a gold chain for the killings.
When was Janson Baker arrested for these crimes?
Baker was charged in 2023, four years after the murders took place on September 7, 2019.
What other legal issues does Janson Baker currently face?
Baker is currently serving a sentence for shooting a teacher in Riverview in January 2021 and is one of five individuals charged with conspiring to kill Sylvio Saulnier.
How should the justice system better protect “high-risk” witnesses and associates in organized crime investigations?
