Man sentenced to life in prison for murdering elderly couple in Dieppe, N.B., home

This combination photo shows Bernard and Rose-Marie Saulnier (left) and Janson Baker.

A man who shot and killed an elderly couple in their Dieppe, N.B., home in September 2019 has been sentenced to life in prison.

Janson Baker received two life sentences, which will be served concurrently, for the murders of Bernard and Rose-Marie Saulnier.

Baker will have no chance of parole for 25 years and is prohibited from possessing weapons for life.

He also won’t be allowed to communicate with anyone who provided victim impact statements in the case.

Before handing down the sentence, Justice Cameron Gunn looked at Baker and told him he herded the Saulniers into a bedroom and “assassinated them for a gold chain.”

He also noted Baker “made their final moments one of terror.”

Several members of the Saulnier family were in Moncton provincial court for the sentencing Thursday morning.

Baker’s family was also present for the sentencing, along with RCMP investigators who worked on the case.

‘We are shattered’

Bernard and Rose-Marie’s son, Luc Saulnier, was the first to deliver a victim impact statement in court.

With his wife Diane Thibeault by his side and a justice facility dog by his feet, Luc said there were no words to describe the nightmare they have endured.

“Shattered. We are shattered,” said Luc.

He went on to say their health and finances have suffered over the years and they still live in fear and put chairs by their doors at night.

“We still have nightmares,” he said.

Luc said his parents were loved by many people.

“Nobody who lived the way that they did should have died the way they died,” he said. “This has changed us and our lives will never be the same again.”

He thanked the RCMP for their work and dedication and also showed gratitude to the prosecution team and victim services and their justice facility dogs.

“You all helped us during this trial more than you will ever know,” said Luc in tears.

Baker looked at Luc and listened during his six-minute statement.

Next up was Micheline Saulnier, the niece and goddaughter of Bernard and Rose-Marie.

She also had her partner by her side and a dog by her feet.

She said, not only did she lose her aunt and uncle, but a part of her parents too, as they haven’t been the same since the murders.

“And neither have I,” said Micheline.

Micheline said she thinks about the killings every day and it’s changed her life forever.

“I’ve had serious concerns and fears, not only for myself, but my whole family,” said Micheline.

The Saulniers were both shot in the head inside their home on Amirault Street in Dieppe on Sept. 7, 2019.

Baker was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder on Sept. 7, 2023, four years to the day after the murders. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

A jury of 12 people found Baker guilty of the double-murder on March 2.

The trial lasted two months with around 30 witnesses taking the stand. Deliberations went on for five days.

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