LAKELAND - One of the two men found guilty in the shooting deaths of Jacob Sansom and Maurice Cardinal on a rural road outside of Glendon in March of 2020 has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
On Aug. 26, Roger Bilodeau, 58, was sentenced to 10 years, minus time served. Roger and his son, Anthony, had been jointly charged with second-degree murder. Following a trial in May, a jury found Roger guilty of manslaughter with a firearm in both deaths.
Anthony was found guilty of second-degree murder in the shooting of Cardinal and guilty of manslaughter in the death of Jacob and will be sentenced in November.
During Roger's sentencing hearing on Aug. 26, a number of victim impact statements were read out loud to the court.
Gina Sansom, sister to Jacob, delivered an emotional statement. She said she struggled to write the statement just for herself, because she sees the pain that has been caused in the lives around her also. She noted that the emotional impact of losing her brother and uncle in such a traumatic way has seeped into all parts of the family's life.
Her other brother no longer hunts, due to the trauma of losing his brother and uncle in such a way.
"I cannot fathom how anyone could do this to two human beings," said Gina, speaking to the night her brother and uncle were shot. She spoke about how the men, who were Métis, had an inherent right to be out hunting, the day their deaths happened.
She noted that she now has severe anxiety, and struggles at work due to it being a job that requires her to be calm and soothing for her clients. She noted the crime has destroyed any sense of safety she had.
"I feel powerless in this situation," said Gina, who described her bother, Jacob, as her best friend and protector. While acknowledging that she and her family members have forgotten how to be happy since the deaths occurred, she also knows that Jacob and Maurice would want their family members to "find our joy again."
Sarah Sansom, Jacob's spouse, read her victim impact statement on Friday afternoon also. While holding a photo of her family before they were "shattered," she spoke about Jacob and her children, stating there would never be enough words to describe what was stolen from them on March 27, 2020.
"It is now a world that has turned dark," said Sarah. "He gave me three amazing children... and now I must raise them alone."
She noted that personally, she has become a shell of who she once was. "I've been changed forever."
But, she said she will not turn to violence, and she will continue to tell the stories and make sure the men are never forgotten.
Victim impact statements from various family members, speaking about both men were read out loud, many on behalf of those who could not read them for themselves.
Crown prosecutor Jordan Kerr requested 15 years jail time for Roger, less credit for time served, along with a lifetime weapons prohibition. Kerr said the Crown believes Roger had a "high degree of moral culpability" in the deaths of the two men. He noted the case was unique in that Roger initiated the sequence of events that took place, as he initiated the pursuit of the two men.
While Roger didn't pull the trigger, his actions were central to the events that took place, said Kerr.
One item that came up during the hearing was the fact that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Roger was allowed outside of his cell at the Edmonton Remand Centre for much less time than usual - and sometimes, he was out for less than two hours a day, which could be viewed as harsher punishment, heard the court.
The Crown agreed that some credit should be given in recognition of the circumstances.
Defence lawyer Shawn Gerstel requested six-and-a-half years in prison as a sentence for Roger, less time served. In his arguments, he noted that while Roger requested Anthony bring a gun, he didn't specifically ask for ammunition, and noted that sometimes a firearm could be used as a scare tactic.
He submitted that Roger's actions on the night of March 27, 2020, were a very bad judgment call.
Roger was also given the opportunity to speak to the court on Friday, stating, "I had no intention of hurting anyone, and I am sincerely sorry for my actions and the hardship I have caused."
Following a break, Justice Eric Macklin returned with a decision. In delivering his decision, he reiterated the facts, which were that Jacob and Maurice had been out hunting earlier in the day on March 27, 2020. Later that night, they were driving near the Bilodeau property.
Roger Bilodeau believed the vehicle was in the area for nefarious reasons. He then initiated a pursuit and called his son, Anthony, asking him to bring a gun. At one point, Roger attempted to hit Jacob with his truck.
While stopped along the road, Anthony shot Jacob first, then he shot Cardinal. The Bilodeaus left the scene, they did not call the police or attempt to seek medical attention for the men.
The bodies of the two men were found along the road, hours later.
In his decision, Macklin stated that Roger jumped to the "unfounded conclusion" that Jacob and Maurice were there for a nefarious purpose. He also noted that Roger clearly knew he had started a high speed chase, and "his anger was clearly misplaced."
Macklin disagreed with the defense's argument that Roger didn't ask for ammunition, stating that it could be assumed when a person asks for a firearm, it would mean ammunition too.
While in remand, Roger has shown dedication to self-improvement, said Macklin, along with showing a positive attitude. And while there is no question that Roger is a good candidate for rehabilitation, the sentence must also deter others from committing similar offences.
Macklin sentenced Roger to 10 years in prison, with a total of 1,624 days credit being given for time served, acknowledging that at times, the conditions at the Remand Centre were near solitary confinement. Roger will also have a lifetime firearms prohibition, and must submit his DNA.
Speaking to the family of Jacob and Maurice, Macklin acknowledged that it may never seem as though justice will be served.
