DRYDEN — A man who attacked several people in a Dryden trailer park that resulted in the deaths of two seniors has received an automatic life sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of second-degree murder, but his parole ineligibility period is yet to be determined.
Justin Desautels, 39, appeared in a Kenora courtroom on Wednesday for a sentencing hearing.
In August, Desautels pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder, along with other charges including aggravated assault.
The charges stem from an incident at the Arbour Jade Trailer Park on the evening of March 2, 2020. Ontario Provincial Police initially received reports just before 10 p.m. of a suspicious person in the area and over the next several hours numerous other calls were received.
Police attended the trailer park and discovered four people with serious injuries. One man was found deceased in his trailer.
The man was later identified as 78-year-old Mervin Brownlee. Another victim, 72-year-old Dorothy Brown, died in hospital three weeks later as a result of her injuries.
A finding of guilt on the charge of second-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence. During the sentencing hearing, the Crown and defense counsel presented a joint submission calling for 13 years of parole ineligibility for Desautels.
The matter will return on Oct. 31 to set a date for sentencing.
