If you followed the tragic 2024 murder of Allan Christopher Lee, you will want to know the latest courtroom developments. A Saint John jury found Charles Pleasance and Stephen Martin not guilty of being accessories after the fact. The verdict arrived Friday afternoon after two days of deliberation.

The Crown accused Martin, 67, and Pleasance, 59, of helping Jinelle Thompson escape legal consequences. Thompson previously pleaded guilty to the second degree murder of 52 year old Lee.

The Evidence Presented

Police discovered Lee’s body on August 1, 2024, in a wooded area near Lorneville. During the trial, Thompson testified she shot Lee in the back of the head inside Martin’s Jeep. She then pulled him to the ground and shot him twice in the heart.

The Crown presented data from Pleasance’s cellphone showing texts about destroying the Jeep. They also showed video footage of Pleasance and Martin spending two hours in a Tim Hortons parking lot on King Street West. The prosecution argued Pleasance threw a bullet casing into a garbage can there.

Police later found Martin’s Jeep abandoned in a junkyard. The vehicle lacked tires but contained a bullet hole in the driver seat headrest, along with blood and DNA matching Lee.

Defense Casts Doubt

Defense lawyers argued the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Matthew Oliver, representing Pleasance, noted the video only showed his client in the Jeep hours after the murder. He argued this did not prove Pleasance knew about the crime.

Heather Daigle, representing Martin, suggested the parking lot meeting involved drug activity rather than a coverup. Both lawyers questioned the reliability of two key witnesses who admitted to using drugs.

Family Reacts to the Verdict

Lee’s family attended the court session. They expressed shock and shed tears upon hearing the verdict. Lee’s mother, Lorraine Jessome, stated in an email that she felt shocked and hurt.

She wrote, “I think the Crown did a great job of proving their case and believe in my heart they were both guilty but the jury felt differently.”

Martin remains in custody. He faces an additional charge for allegedly preventing a witness from testifying in this trial. He returns to court on September 22.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who did the jury acquit in the Saint John murder accessory trial?

The jury acquitted Charles Pleasance and Stephen Martin of being accessories after the fact.

Who murdered Allan Christopher Lee?

Jinelle Thompson pleaded guilty to the second degree murder of Allan Christopher Lee.

What evidence did the Crown present?

The Crown presented text messages, video footage from a Tim Hortons, and a Jeep containing a bullet hole and the victim’s DNA.

Why does Stephen Martin remain in custody?

Martin faces a separate charge for allegedly obstructing justice by preventing a witness from testifying.