A Saint John woman, 46, gets life with no parole for 10 years after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Allan Lee.
Saint John Woman Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2024 Murder
Sentence Handed Down in Court
A Saint John woman has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 10 years after admitting to killing Allan Lee, 52, last summer.
Jinelle Suzanne Thompson, 46, appeared remotely in Saint John Court of King’s Bench on Tuesday, where Justice Kathryn Gregory delivered the ruling.
Details of the Conviction
Thompson was initially charged with first-degree murder but pleaded guilty in May to second-degree murder. Lee’s body was discovered on August 1, 2024, in a wooded area near Lorneville, on the city’s western edge. A publication ban prevents disclosure of the circumstances of his death, as two other accused have yet to stand trial.
Victim Remembered
Lee, a father and chimney-business owner, left behind a partner and young daughter. Victim impact statements submitted to the court described “trauma and agony” for his family, with one daughter relapsing into addiction and his partner struggling while caring for their infant. His mother, Lorraine Jessome, told reporters she hopes to find “some peace” following the sentencing.
Judge’s Considerations
Justice Gregory noted Thompson’s life sentence reflects both denunciation of the crime and proportionality to her moral blameworthiness. She emphasized parole is not guaranteed and that Thompson “will never have total freedom again,” even if released in the future.
Background of the Offender
The court heard Thompson had worked for years at Irving Oil and the Saint John Regional Hospital. She struggled with prescription drug misuse, cocaine use, and mental health challenges, including manic depression and borderline personality disorder. Friends described her as once supportive and caring but said her life deteriorated after her mother’s death a month before the killing.
Community Impact and Ongoing Case
The sentencing leaves unanswered questions for Lee’s family, as details of the offence remain sealed. Meanwhile, co-accused Charles Pleasance, 58, and Stephen Chester Martin, 66, are scheduled for trial in August 2026, accused of helping Thompson evade justice.
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