N.B. trial hears nail gun allegedly used by accused on himself was bought days before murder

A first-degree murder trial in Saint John entered its second week on Monday.

The murder trial for a man accused of killing two boys in Saint John, N.B., last year has entered its second week.

Roman Kamyshnyy has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of the boys, aged 10 and 17, on Jan. 29, 2025. He has pleaded not guilty to both charges.

It is alleged that Kamyshnyy stabbed the two boys to death before attempting to take his own life with a nail gun to his head.

A court-ordered publication ban prevents the names of the two boys from being revealed. Previous court rulings have allowed the media to describe the case as one that involves alleged domestic violence.

On Monday, the 14 jurors heard testimony from a Saint John Police Force officer who was tasked with locating where the nail gun and nails allegedly used by Kamyshnyy were purchased.

Det. Const. Scott Prentice told the court he tracked the items as being purchased at The Home Depot at 55 Depot Crt. in Saint John on Jan. 25, 2025, at 7:26 p.m.

Prentice testified the receipt for $547.98 matched bank records taken for Kamyshnyy.

Two surveillance videos showing an individual entering and exiting the store was also admitted as evidence.

The court also heard testimony Monday from a Saint John Correctional Centre officer, who said she was handed a letter from Kamyshnyy in November 2025.

Melissa Larsen testified Kamyshnyy had been having conversations with her about having his protective custody classification changed in the correctional centre.

Larsen described the letter given to her from Kamyshnyy as “a collection of his thoughts.”

“He tried to explain to me that he’s not a bad guy,” said Larsen, who testified the letter was reported to the staff sergeant on duty.

The letter was admitted into evidence.

Court is scheduled to resume Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. with two expert witnesses from the Crown.

Justice Darrell Stephenson is presiding over the trial, which is expected to last a total of three weeks. Proceedings are expected to finish by June 26.

With files from Avery MacRae of CTV News Atlantic

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