THUNDER BAY - Jesse Allen, who stabbed his 18-year-old brother Wayne Allen in an unprovoked attack, has been found guilty of second-degree murder.
The jury returned its verdict just before 4 p.m. Thursday in a Thunder Bay courtroom before Justice Danial Newton. Deliberations began at approximately 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The verdict follows a six-day trial that opened last Monday in Thunder Bay. Allen, 40, pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in connection to the stabbing death of Wayne Allen on Jan. 30, 2021 in Manitouwadge.
Throughout the trial, the jury heard evidence that Jesse Allen arrived at a Flicker Avenue home in Manitouwadge where his father, Glenn Allen, and Wayne were living.
Jesse was sitting at the kitchen table along with Glenn smoking marijuana, while Wayne was sitting on the couch in the living room.
According to testimony from the family friend and Glenn Allen, Jesse got up without saying anything and walked over to Wayne and stabbed him twice in the chest.
Jesse Allen was then observed to say: ‘how do you like that dad, two birds with one stone,’ and kept repeating: ‘I want my house back.’ He later said: ‘Wayne’s not dead, Wayne’s not dead,’ to his father, Glenn.
A post-mortem examination revealed the stab wounds penetrated both of Wayne Allen’s lungs and his heart and the wounds would have resulted in death within minutes.
The jury heard emotional testimony from Glenn Allen during the trial, who recounted what he witnessed that day, saying he thinks about it every day.
The Crown and defense counsel agreed that Jesse Allen unlawfully caused the death of Wayne Allen, but the defense was seeking a conviction on the lesser charge of manslaughter, arguing Jesse did not have the intent to kill his brother.
A conviction of second-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence with parole ineligibility ranging from 10 years to 25 years.
A sentencing hearing to determine the period of parole ineligibility will be set at a later date.