Calgary man found guilty of second-degree murder in death of former girlfriend's daughter
A Calgary man who admitted to murdering his former girlfriend but denied killing her daughter has been found guilty of killing the young girl.
Robert Leeming, 37, pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial to the second-degree murder of Jasmine Lovett in 2019 but not guilty in the death of 22-month-old Aliyah Sanderson.
Leeming was convicted of second-degree murder Monday in connection with the death of the little girl.
His lawyer said during closing arguments in November that there's no evidence to prove Leeming was responsible for the girl's death.
Leeming testified he was looking after Aliyah when she fell down some stairs, then he found her limp and unresponsive when he checked on her later.
He said he snapped when Lovett accused him of doing something to her child and struck her several times with a hammer before coming back with a rifle and shooting her in the head.
The bodies of the mother and child were found buried in a shallow grave in Kananaskis Country, west of Calgary, in May 2019 after they went missing weeks earlier.
While reading his 54 page verdict, Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Keith Yamauchi said Leeming continuously lied throughout his testimony.
“Mr. Leeming is not a believable witness,” said Yamauchi.
In his decision, Yamauchi said the testimony of medical examiner that indicated a fall ‘could not do that to Aliyah’ weighed heavily on his guilty verdict.
The judge found that Leeming had committed an unlawful act of assault on Sanderson that resulted in her death.
He says beyond a reasonable doubt, Leeming "intended the natural consequences of his actions," knowing the injuries Sanderson sustained would result in her death.
"Mr. Leeming made a decision as to how he would conduct himself," said Crown prosecutor Douglas Taylor following the announcement of the verdict.. "I would agree with you he told quite a few lies."
GUT WRENCHING
It was a gut-wrenching experience for the family as they waited for Monday's verdict.
Jodi Sanderson, Aliyah's grandmother, wept in the courtroom as the judge convicted Leeming in the death of her 22-month old granddaughter.
Leeming sat in a grey sweater in court on Monday morning with his head down, showing little emotion.
"His actions and demeanour were nothing but disturbing," said Sanderson.
"At one point, they thought he was falling asleep, so we stopped for a little bit to wake him up which was extremely weird," added Lovett’s mother, Kim Blankert.
For the victims' family, today marks the beginning of a healing journey.
"I actually wanted to get up and hug the judge but I know that would have looked super weird," said Blankert. "We’re pleased that we got justice and relieved that is over."
A sentencing date has not been confirmed. A second-degree murder conviction carries a life sentence but the duration of Leeming's parole exclusion will be determined.
Douglas said the Crown had not yet determined what sentence it would request.
"We're going to process the reasons for decision, have a look at the facts and we'll craft our sentencing position based on that," he said.
"I would say it's safe to say we'll be asking for something in excess of 10 years," added Taylor.
A court date to schedule a sentencing date is set to take place February 11, 2022.
A second-degree murder conviction carries a life sentence but the duration of Leeming's parole exclusion will be determined.
DEFENCE 'DISAPPOINTED'
Leeming’s lawyer said during closing arguments in November that there's no evidence to prove Leeming was responsible for the girl's death.
Balfour Der says he and Leeming are both ‘disappointed’ by the verdict.
“We ran a defence and believed that the man had a legitimate defence and that they hadn’t proved his guilt in relation to Aliyah,” said Der to CTV News.
“Credibility is a big part of this case. If he is not believed then that takes away the part of the defence that he spoke to."
Der said the defence is looking at all options.
“We have some things in mind in what we would like to do,” said Der.
“Whether there is an appeal from this or not, time will tell (once) we digest the decision to see if there is anything that lends itself to an appeal.”
With files from The Canadian Press and CTV News' Austin Lee.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
ArriveCan contractor to be admonished by MPs in extraordinarily rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.