The case of Jahmyle Johnson, 33, who pleaded guilty for his involvement in a 2017 shooting on Gunn Street in Barrie, continues to experience delays, though a resolution is now in sight.
Johnson, arrested in 2018, was acquitted in 2021 due to reasonable doubt, despite strong Crown evidence in the home invasion where a 60-year-old victim was shot but survived. Barrie police described the incident as a targeted shooting with no threat to public safety.
The Court of Appeal sided with the Crown, ordering a retrial. Johnson, who faces other serious charges across Ontario, has now pleaded guilty.
On Friday, Johnson appeared before Superior Court Justice Lisa Wannamaker for sentencing submissions. However, the hearing was delayed because his pre-sentencing custody records were not confirmed, prompting his lawyer, D’arcy Leitch, to request an adjournment.
These custody records are critical for sentencing calculations, often weighed at a 1.5:1 ratio or higher.
With no Crown opposition, Justice Wannamaker rescheduled submissions to July 22, with sentencing expected in August.
Johnson’s criminal history spans over a decade, including charges of drug offenses, robbery, and property crimes. In 2023, York Regional Police released video footage linking him and others to a carjacking in Markham, leading to arrests in Vaughan.
Police reports noted Johnson was out on bail during the Markham incident, though it is unclear whether this bail pertained to the Barrie case or other charges.
The 2017 Barrie shooting involved two men forcibly entering a home, resulting in the victim sustaining serious but non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. Johnson was arrested nearly 10 months later and initially charged with attempted murder.
During the recent court appearance, Justice Wannamaker granted Johnson’s unusual request for additional food before he was taken back to custody at Central North Correctional Centre in Penetanguishene.
The Barrie courthouse has become known for accommodating detainees’ requests for “double lunches,” following complaints about the small and plain sandwiches served.
