Defence cross-examines Crown key witness in Moncton double-murder trial

The defence cross-examined a witness in a Moncton murder trial.

The defence cross-examined one of the Crown’s key witnesses for most of the day Tuesday in Janson Baker’s double-murder trial in Moncton, N.B.

On Monday, that witness testified Baker admitted to him he was responsible for the murders of an elderly Dieppe couple in 2019.

The witness, who cannot be identified due to a publication ban, and the accused interacted while both were incarcerated.

Defence attorney Brian Munro started the cross-examination by asking about the timeline for when Baker started to tell him about the homicides.

“It was within weeks,” said the witness.

The 29-year-old Baker has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Bernard and Rose-Marie Saulnier of Dieppe.

The couple was shot and killed in their home during the early-morning hours of Sept. 7, 2019.

In great detail, Munro went through the witness’s lengthy criminal record and past involvement with drugs, which at times agitated the witness.

“You’re a professional criminal, right?” asked Munro.

The witness responded by saying “no.”

Munro repeatedly questioned the witness’s motive for testifying.

“You’re using information as currency in your world,” said Munro.

On Monday, the jury heard testimony from Alica Mehlenbacher, the former girlfriend of Zach Trevors.

The witness has testified that Trevors went with Baker to the Saulnier’s Dieppe home the night of the murders.

Mehlenbacher testified that Baker and Trevors arrived home at their basement apartment early that morning and were rowdy, which kept her from sleeping.

She testified she took pictures of Baker around 4:30 a.m. on Sept. 7, 2019, with Baker wearing a gold chain.

Those photos were shared with friends on Facebook Messenger.

Court has heard testimony from the Crown’s witness, saying Baker told him he took a gold chain and a gold watch off of Bernard Saulnier’s body.

The witness testified that Baker broke into the Saulniers’ home wearing a clown mask with red hair, and told them to get down and shot them.

The trial is scheduled to continue Wednesday.

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.