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.

Stay connected with Canada’s latest headlines — follow Maple News Wire on Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn.

The post Saint John woman sentenced to life for 2024 murder first appeared on Maple News Wire.