Crown seeks 7.5 years for Toronto man who pleaded guilty in 2017 Barrie home invasion

The sentencing hearing for a Toronto man who pleaded guilty for taking part in a 2017 home invasion in Barrie was held Tuesday morning.

The sentencing hearing for a Toronto man, who pleaded guilty for taking part in a 2017 home invasion in Barrie, that led to a 60-year-old man being shot, was held Tuesday morning.

Jahmyle Johnson, 33, pleaded guilty in November 2024 for his role in the failed burglary that sent a man to hospital with serious injuries eight years ago.

Johnson, who thought he beat charges stemming from the April 2017 home invasion, was re-tried following an appeal by the Crown which resulted in the judgement being overturned.

Johnson was convicted for his role in the break-and-enter after pleading guilty to intent to commit an indictable offence and robbery with a weapon. Remorseful for his actions he said, “It wasn’t my intention for anyone to get hurt,” the court heard.

Johnson, as part of an Agreed Statement of Facts, was not the gunman in the failed robbery that day, but took the phone away from a woman who tried to call 911 during the break in.

Originally charged with attempted murder, Johnson was arrested in 2018 and acquitted in 2021 when a Barrie judge found the Crown did not prove Johnson’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The gunman in the case was never arrested.

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In its sentencing submissions the Crown requested Johnson be sentenced to seven and a half years in prison. He’s been in custody since August 1, 2024, when police in York Region said Johnson was one of three men arrested following a carjacking July 30 at Markville Mall in Markham.

Police released surveillance video showing the theft of the Mercedes G Wagon with two men dressed in black, approaching a woman and demanding her keys before speeding off in the SUV. The theft took all of 10 seconds.

York Regional Police released video of the pursuit of the suspects from a helicopter which included police using thermal imaging cameras as the suspects hid in a nearby wooded area. Eventually the two men were caught with help from the K-9 unit.

Police said Johnson was involved in the carjacking, was under police surveillance and arrested the a day later in a stolen Nissan used in the Markham carjacking.

The Crown, Mary Anne Alexander told the court Johnson acknowledged the facts as part of allegations before the courts in Newmarket.

Alexander then read victim impact statements from the victims of the home invasion.

The man shot that day, who was a jeweller, described the physical and psychological pain he endured, saying he’s been in constant fear for his safety. He said being shot in his lower abdomen caused kidney and bladder damage.

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Johnson, who has a lengthy criminal record, is a father of three including a 12-year-old son, 10-year-old daughter and a 2-year-old boy.

The Crown painted a very different picture of Johnson, outlining his criminal past. Alexander told the court the unfortunate reality is Johnson will one day be back in custody for further crimes.

“Mr. Johnson lives a life of crime,” said Alexander.

His lawyer Alison Craig, on the other hand, said Johnson never stood a chance from the day he was born with alcohol and cocaine in his system. Craig told the court Johnson was taken away from his abusive mother at birth and later abandoned by her at a shelter at the age of four.

Johnson then addressed the court apologizing for what he called “cowardly, foolish and stupid” behaviour that caused his victims “pain, suffering and trauma.”

He told the court his children are his life and he wants to be the best father in the world, seeking to make a better life for his wife and children upon his release. He told the court he wants to become a chef and one day own a restaurant.

“I grew up without any parents,” he said. “I do not want my kids to go through want I went through and I want to break the cycle.”

Reading his letter to the court, Johnson explained he was remorseful and determined to change his ways. “My kids need me,” he said. “I want no part in criminal activity.

He described being incarcerated as “Hell on earth.”

Johnson returns to court next week for his Newmarket matters. Sentencing for the home invasion is scheduled to take place in late August.