Decision-time in Pembroke, Justice Ray to determine sentence for Dugald Jamieson after May 2010 death of Renfrew resident Carol-Anne Brunet

Posted Feb 16, 2012 By Steve Newman

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Dugald Jamieson will learn next Tuesday in Pembroke Superior Court the length of the jail term he'll receive after pleading guilty to manslaughter following the May 2010 death of Renfrew resident Carol-Anne Brunet.

The sentencing hearing before Justice Timothy Ray took place early this week in the Pembroke court.

Case law supporting the arguments of Assistant Crown Attorney Peter Hageraats and defence co-counsel Richard Morris and Victoria Legris were delivered Monday and Tuesday respectively.

Jamieson, who was living in Renfrew, has been imprisoned since Brunet's death in her own Hall Avenue apartment in Renfrew.

Jamieson was described as a callous, insensitive individual who regularly mistreated and abused Brunet, despite orders of probation to keep his distance from her after a history of abuse.

Hageraats extensively documented his history of criminal and violent behaviour.

Co-defence counsel Morris, on the other hand, has painted a somewhat different picture of Jamieson, 49, who stood quietly watching the proceedings, between a thick pane of clear glass at his back and the lawyers a few feet in front of him.

The Crown Attorney's office is seeking 12 to 15 years in jail time. Defence counsel is asking for seven years, with credit for the 632 days already served.

Morris noted normal sentences for aggravated domestic manslaughter run eight to 12 years.

The only witness in the two-day hearing was Ottawa Hospital forensic pathologist Dr. Christopher Milroy.

He was on the stand for more than an hour answering questions and describing how Brunet, 54, died of peritonitis, an inflammation of the bowel that allowed her to walk around, although in some discomfort, for more than a day after receiving a six-inch gash in her stomach during a scuffle with Jamieson.

Typically, people suffering from peritonitis do not die because they receive medical attention in ample time, said Dr. Milroy.

Testimony by various witnesses suggested that she and Jamieson did not appear to know how potentially fatal the kitchen knife could be.

The most emotional segment of the two-day sentencing hearing involved the victim impact statements.

The statements by Brunet's son, Tyler, and Brunet's sister, Debbie Davidson, were read by Hageraats.

The final victim impact statement was read by Brunet's daughter, Stephanie Brunet.

Stephanie also read a small statement from her own daughter, Shantica, which was a writing project for school, as a letter written to her grandmother (Brunet).

Shantica's first words were, "Dear Nanny, I miss you," before writing how she enjoyed being on her computer, how she was pleased the summer break was only 13 days away, but that she still really missed her nanny.

Daughter Stephanie had the longest victim statement, in which she said people did not see her mom for the good person she was.

Relating to the abuse she has suffered in her life, Stephanie said "the criminal system has failed my mother" and that "deep down I don't think Dugald is at all remorseful."

Sister Debbie Davidson noted that Carol-Anne was her only sister, and that her sister had left home at 16, had been the maid of honour at her wedding, that she'd talk to anyone, and that she was a very happy person when married to Andre until Carol-Anne's husband's death from a heart attack in his mid 30s.

"She was never the same," after that, said Davidson's statement.

She said her sister also volunteered for the Salvation Army and Meals and Wheels, and that she was taken advantage of by a future partner, and lost her savings and, increasingly, her self-esteem.

"She was a perfect victim for a violent and abusive man," said Davidson's statement, which noted that once Jamieson became a friend he could do whatever he wanted to her.

Son Tyler noted he had become "very angry" at his mother for her drinking and abusive relationship, but later grew to understand what she was going through.

He wrote that he wished she would have asked for help.

"There are so many things I would like to ask her, like why she stayed with him (Dugald)."




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