Second accused in murder of Jordan Lapointe receives life in prison

THUNDER BAY – The second accused to plead guilty to second-degree murder for the 2021 death of 33-year-old Jordan Lapointe has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 16 years.

Justice Danial Newton handed down his sentence for 41-year-old Derek Turner in a Thunder Bay courtroom on Thursday.

Turner pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in March for his role in Lapointe’s death in October 2021.

Police arrested four people in connection to Lapointe’s death. Michael Gomez of Nepean, Ont., has since pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in January 2024. He was sentenced to life in prison with 18 years of parole ineligibility.

The cases against Ronald Hill of Thunder Bay and Shane Cabral of Ottawa are still before the courts.

The charges relate to an incident inside Lapointe’s residence on the 100 block of Frederica Street East.

First responders were called to the residence the night of Oct. 3, 2021 for reports of a structural fire at the residence.

After the fire was extinguished, the body of a deceased male was located inside. Further investigation revealed the man, later identified as Lapointe, was the victim of a homicide.

Gomez was arrested inside an Amelia Street home on Oct. 22, 2021 along with Cabral and initially charged with first-degree murder.

Hill was arrested later in October and charged with first-degree murder and arson, while Turner was arrested in May 2022 and also charged with first-degree murder.  

An agreed statement of facts was shared with the court, but details are being limited because the cases against the two remaining co-accused are yet to be resolved.

A conviction on the charge of second-degree murder carries with it a mandatory life sentence with parole ineligibility ranging between 10 and 25 years.

During a sentencing submissions hearing in March, defence counsel argued for a period of parole ineligibility for 12 years, citing Turner’s admission of guilt, his expressions of remorse, his participation in rehabilitative programs while in custody, and distinctions between him and Gomez in the offence.

The Crown called for an 18-year period of parole ineligibility, arguing there should be parity between Turner’s sentence and that of Gomez.

In his ruling on Thursday, Newton said denunciation and deterrence were the primary considerations when determining an appropriate and just sentence in this matter.

Newton acknowledged Turner’s expressions of remorse and the steps he has taken to rehabilitate himself while in custody as mitigating factors.

But Newton also noted the significant impact Lapointe’s death has had on his family and the community, which he said was evident through the victim impact statements shared with the court.

“This was a senseless, tragic, life altering loss for all,” Newton said.

Other aggravating factors cited by Newton when considering his sentence included Lapointe’s vulnerability at the time of his death, the assault taking place inside his own home, the offence being committed in connection to the illicit drug trade, and the brutal nature of the assault.

Ultimately, Newton sentenced Turner to 16 years of parole ineligibility. He is also required to submit a DNA sample, is subject to a life-time weapons prohibition, and is to have no contact with members of Lapointe’s family as he serves his sentence.

Cabral and Hill are expected to appear in court later this month.