Court Updates of the accused, Thomas Anthony Joseph Brine.
Source: Various Winnipeg media outlets
2005
Thomas Anthony Joseph Brine was wanted for possession of a stolen camcorder and jewelry, and had several convictions for theft and other offenses such as theft under $5000, theft over $5000, escape from lawful custody, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and break & enter and theft. In May 2005, he was convicted on nine theft counts, along with a pair of counts of failing to comply with court conditions.
Thomas Anthony Joseph Brine was wanted for possession of a stolen camcorder and jewelry, and had several convictions for theft and other offenses such as theft under $5000, theft over $5000, escape from lawful custody, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and break & enter and theft. In May 2005, he was convicted on nine theft counts, along with a pair of counts of failing to comply with court conditions.
2007
In June, Brine, 21, was sentenced to three years less a day in a plea deal for a string of thefts and break-ins that culminated with his arrest in a dramatic car chase by an off-duty Winnipeg police officer.
Brine’s convictions included 6 counts of theft, convictions of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, vehicle theft, escaping lawful custody and violating court orders.
He confessed to being a crack cocaine addict when he was sentenced for stealing vehicles and ripping off CD players.
"I'm addicted to crack cocaine ... that's why all the thefts, to feed my habit," Brine told a judge at the sentencing hearing. Brine told court he had tried to get help before for his drug addiction, but failed.
"I tried to go to a program but then it didn't work. I smoked crack in the building," he said. "I've just been a F-up all my life, mostly." The late Judge Ron Meyers noted Brine had a "propensity to steal" and needed help. "That's going to be your life unless you straighten up, clean up your act," Meyers said.
"I'm going to try and take as many programs as I can at Headingley," Brine replied, referring to the provincial jail.
In June, Brine, 21, was sentenced to three years less a day in a plea deal for a string of thefts and break-ins that culminated with his arrest in a dramatic car chase by an off-duty Winnipeg police officer.
Brine’s convictions included 6 counts of theft, convictions of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, vehicle theft, escaping lawful custody and violating court orders.
He confessed to being a crack cocaine addict when he was sentenced for stealing vehicles and ripping off CD players.
"I'm addicted to crack cocaine ... that's why all the thefts, to feed my habit," Brine told a judge at the sentencing hearing. Brine told court he had tried to get help before for his drug addiction, but failed.
"I tried to go to a program but then it didn't work. I smoked crack in the building," he said. "I've just been a F-up all my life, mostly." The late Judge Ron Meyers noted Brine had a "propensity to steal" and needed help. "That's going to be your life unless you straighten up, clean up your act," Meyers said.
"I'm going to try and take as many programs as I can at Headingley," Brine replied, referring to the provincial jail.
2009
In April a warrant was issued for Brine, 23, on three counts of assault causing bodily harm and one assault charge in an incident involving four male victims. The next month, another warrant was issued for two counts of possession of goods obtained by crime.
In April a warrant was issued for Brine, 23, on three counts of assault causing bodily harm and one assault charge in an incident involving four male victims. The next month, another warrant was issued for two counts of possession of goods obtained by crime.
2011
On February 28, Winnipeg Police Services arrested Thomas Anthony Joseph Brine, 25, just before 8 p.m. in the River East area.
On March 1, Police announced that Brine had been charged with first-degree murder for Elizabeth Lafantaisie's death. He was also facing two charges of Possession of Goods Obtained by Crime, three counts of Assault Causing Bodily Harm and another charge of Assault as the result of two outstanding arrest warrants.
On April 29, the Crown met with Elizabeth Lafantaisie's family members to inform them about the case.
2012
On April 26, a case management meeting was to be held with the Crown and defence attorneys, but didn’t, due to an oversight in the sharing of information about the reserved dates. The case management meeting was rescheduled to May 10 to formally confirm the dates for the preliminary hearing, tentatively scheduled for October 29 to November 2.
On May 11 it is learned that the tentative dates for the preliminary hearing were not actually available and haven't been since December 2011 (although some of the parties thought that they were). As it took a while for this oversight to be recognised and given how busy the courts are, the next available dates for a preliminary hearing aren’t until 2013. (It's not unusual that they have to look to the next year for dates, given how many matters are in the court system. Arranging these dates involves coordinating the availability of all of the lawyers as well as court and judge availability.)
On June 7 the preliminary hearing dates were confirmed during an administrative meeting. The dates of April 8 to 11, 2013 have been agreed upon for the preliminary hearing by the court and the lawyers.
On July 4, Brine pleaded guilty to three counts of assault causing bodily harm and was handed a sentence of 15 months, time served. He remains in custody on the Lafantaisie murder allegation and has not applied for bail. Brine helped rough up three strangers at a transit stop after a co-accused leapt out of his car and confronted the victims saying, “this was his territory, his area,” prosecutor Nancy Fazenda said. While the co-accused was the main aggressor and instigator, Brine agrees he took part in assaulting the men, aged 25, 25, and 26. A fourth count of simple assault was dropped. The men suffered various injuries: one was left with a broken jaw, while another’s nose was broken. The third suffered cuts and a concussion. No reason has been given as to why the warrant issued for Brine’s arrest gathered dust for nearly two years. Court was told Brine has been taking substance abuse and anger-management programming while on remand at Headlingley jail.
On February 28, Winnipeg Police Services arrested Thomas Anthony Joseph Brine, 25, just before 8 p.m. in the River East area.
On March 1, Police announced that Brine had been charged with first-degree murder for Elizabeth Lafantaisie's death. He was also facing two charges of Possession of Goods Obtained by Crime, three counts of Assault Causing Bodily Harm and another charge of Assault as the result of two outstanding arrest warrants.
On April 29, the Crown met with Elizabeth Lafantaisie's family members to inform them about the case.
2012
On April 26, a case management meeting was to be held with the Crown and defence attorneys, but didn’t, due to an oversight in the sharing of information about the reserved dates. The case management meeting was rescheduled to May 10 to formally confirm the dates for the preliminary hearing, tentatively scheduled for October 29 to November 2.
On May 11 it is learned that the tentative dates for the preliminary hearing were not actually available and haven't been since December 2011 (although some of the parties thought that they were). As it took a while for this oversight to be recognised and given how busy the courts are, the next available dates for a preliminary hearing aren’t until 2013. (It's not unusual that they have to look to the next year for dates, given how many matters are in the court system. Arranging these dates involves coordinating the availability of all of the lawyers as well as court and judge availability.)
On June 7 the preliminary hearing dates were confirmed during an administrative meeting. The dates of April 8 to 11, 2013 have been agreed upon for the preliminary hearing by the court and the lawyers.
On July 4, Brine pleaded guilty to three counts of assault causing bodily harm and was handed a sentence of 15 months, time served. He remains in custody on the Lafantaisie murder allegation and has not applied for bail. Brine helped rough up three strangers at a transit stop after a co-accused leapt out of his car and confronted the victims saying, “this was his territory, his area,” prosecutor Nancy Fazenda said. While the co-accused was the main aggressor and instigator, Brine agrees he took part in assaulting the men, aged 25, 25, and 26. A fourth count of simple assault was dropped. The men suffered various injuries: one was left with a broken jaw, while another’s nose was broken. The third suffered cuts and a concussion. No reason has been given as to why the warrant issued for Brine’s arrest gathered dust for nearly two years. Court was told Brine has been taking substance abuse and anger-management programming while on remand at Headlingley jail.
2013
The preliminary hearing into the tragic killing of Elizabeth Lafantaisie commenced April 8 at the Law Courts building at 408 York Ave. Thomas Anthony Joseph Brine, 27 years old, stands charged with 1st Degree Murder and is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
That task of proving Brine's guilt is a burden placed on the shoulders of Senior Crown Attorney Brian Bell, a prosecutor known for his highly successful, methodical approach to prosecutions. With decades of experience behind him, Bell presents a significant obstacle for opposing defense counsel Todd E. Bourcier.
The proceedings were attended by twenty (20) plus family members and supporters of the Lafantaisie family.
If convicted, Brine would automatically be sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for twenty-five (25) years.
The preliminary hearing into the tragic killing of Elizabeth Lafantaisie commenced April 8 at the Law Courts building at 408 York Ave. Thomas Anthony Joseph Brine, 27 years old, stands charged with 1st Degree Murder and is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
That task of proving Brine's guilt is a burden placed on the shoulders of Senior Crown Attorney Brian Bell, a prosecutor known for his highly successful, methodical approach to prosecutions. With decades of experience behind him, Bell presents a significant obstacle for opposing defense counsel Todd E. Bourcier.
The proceedings were attended by twenty (20) plus family members and supporters of the Lafantaisie family.
If convicted, Brine would automatically be sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for twenty-five (25) years.
2014
The first degree murder trial against Brine is scheduled from September 29 to October 10, 2014.
The September 29 to October 10 trial dates have been postponed due to Brine's legal council stepping down.
The first degree murder trial against Brine is scheduled from September 29 to October 10, 2014.
The September 29 to October 10 trial dates have been postponed due to Brine's legal council stepping down.
2015
In January, trial dates were set for February 8 to 26, 2016.
On December 15, a court proceeding called a Voir Dire was held. The Judge heard arguments from both sides about what evidence will be admissible at the trial.
In January, trial dates were set for February 8 to 26, 2016.
On December 15, a court proceeding called a Voir Dire was held. The Judge heard arguments from both sides about what evidence will be admissible at the trial.
2016
On February 8 the first degree murder trial begins. The jury hearing the case against him consists of three women and nine men.
On February 17 a jury in Winnipeg found Thomas Brine guilty of first-degree murder in the sexual assault and strangling of 73-year-old Elizabeth Lafantaisie.
On February 8 the first degree murder trial begins. The jury hearing the case against him consists of three women and nine men.
On February 17 a jury in Winnipeg found Thomas Brine guilty of first-degree murder in the sexual assault and strangling of 73-year-old Elizabeth Lafantaisie.