'Limp and unresponsive': Crying Robert Leeming takes the stand at Calgary murder trial
WARNING: This story contains graphic details
CALGARY -- A Calgary man who has admitted to killing his girlfriend testified Wednesday he had nothing to do with the death of her 22-month-old daughter.
Robert Leeming broke down sobbing several times when he took the witness stand at his trial on a second-degree murder charge in the 2019 death of Aliyah Sanderson.
He has already entered a guilty plea in the second-degree murder of the girl's mother, 25-year-old Jasmine Lovett.
Leeming, 36, testified that he and Lovett moved in together in October 2018 and he had a romantic relationship with her until January 2019. He said they remained friendly and he helped take care of Aliyah – including taking and picking her up from daycare and sometimes putting her to bed.
"I loved her. She was a wonderful kid,'' Leeming said. "It was great. I treated her as my own. I enjoyed being there for her.''
His lawyer, Balfour Der, asked: "Did you have a reason to kill Aliyah?''
"No,'' Leeming replied.
"Did you kill her?''
"No,'' said Leeming.
Jasmine Lovett, 25 and 22-month-old Aliyah Sanderson. (Calgary Police Service handout)
Leeming said he picked Aliyah up from daycare on April 16, 2019, and got her a snack at home while Lovett went to job interviews. He said he saw Aliyah start to climb a set of stairs.
"I heard a thump and I saw her lying on the ground. She seemed all right. I picked her up and dusted her off.''
Leeming said Aliyah seemed normal when she was put to bed. Lovett came home and checked on her. He and Lovett had dinner and watched TV.
When he went upstairs to check on the little girl 45 minutes later, he said, something was wrong.
"I picked her up and found she was limp and unresponsive,'' Leeming said.
He said he called Lovett upstairs and she was also unable to revive the girl.
Leeming said he then went downstairs to get his phone and was confronted by Lovett.
"We were in the kitchen and were both crying and shouting at each other. She stood up to me and pointed at me and asked if I had done anything to Aliyah,'' Leeming said through tears.
"I freaked out. I snapped and hit her with a hammer on the head. I remember hitting her twice.''
Leeming said he stood there for awhile but didn't hit her again.
"She was dying and I wanted it to stop. I went to the garage and picked up a .22 and shot her in the head,'' Leeming said. "It was the only thing I thought could be quick.''
Leeming said he wrapped the bodies of his girlfriend and her daughter in blue and black blankets and put a roll of paper towels near Lovett's head "to stop the blood.''
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
'Of course, yes': Poland latest European country with interest in Canadian LNG
The President of Poland says his country would 'of course' be interested in purchasing Canadian liquefied natural gas if it were available, while the Canadian federal government has said it is 'not interested' in subsidizing future projects.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Dozens in Italy give a fascist salute on the anniversary of Mussolini's execution
Dozens of people raised their arms in the fascist salute and shouted a fascist chant during ceremonies Sunday to honor Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on the 79th anniversary of his execution.
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Health minister 'deeply appreciative' of doctors but capital gains changes here to stay
Health Minister Mark Holland says while he is 'deeply appreciative' of the work doctors in Canada do, the federal government has no plans to scrap the proposed capital gains tax changes outlined in the latest budget, despite opposition from the Canadian Medical Association.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.