THUNDER BAY - One of four men charged in connection with the 2021 death of a Thunder Bay man inside a south side home has been sentenced to life in prison.
Michael Gomez appeared before Justice Danial Newton on Friday in a Thunder Bay courtroom where he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
The charges relate to an incident inside a home on the 100 block of Frederica Street East on the night of Oct. 3, 2021.
First responders were called to the area after receiving reports of a structural fire at the residence.
The fire was extinguished and a deceased male was located inside the home. Investigators determined the male, later identified as 33-year-old Jordan Lapointe, was the victim of a homicide.
The Thunder Bay Police Service issued a media release stating that Gomez, of Nepean, Ont., was arrested at an Amelia Street home on Oct. 22, 2021, along with Shane Cabral of Ottawa. Both men were originally charged with first-degree murder.
Ronald Hill of Thunder Bay was arrested later in October and charged with first-degree murder and arson while Derrick Turner of Thunder Bay, was arrested in May 2022 and charged with first-degree murder.
Disclosure of the facts involved in the case is being limited because the co-accused are still to stand trial.
A second-degree murder conviction carries an automatic life sentence with parole ineligibility ranging from 10 to 25 years.
As part of a joint submission by the Crown and defence counsel, Newton ruled Gomez will be ineligible for parole for 18 years. If the Parole Board of Canada grants a release after the 18 years, Gomez will be extradited to the United States but will still be subject to parole conditions.
In a statement, the Lapointe family said they are pleased with the life sentence but disappointed Gomez has a chance for parole after 18 years.
“The only consolation is that if he is released, he is an American citizen and if paroled he will be deported to the U.S.A. and never allowed in Canada again,” the statement reads.
The statement also said the family is hopeful justice will be served as the outstanding charges are dealt with in court.
“It will never bring Jordan back. All we want is justice for Jordan,” the statement said.
The co-accused are expected to stand trial by jury in May 2024.
