Sault man who shot woman in neck pleads guilty to manslaughter

A Sault Ste. Marie man, charged with murder in the shooting death of a woman two years ago, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Jerry Leveille entered the plea late yesterday afternoon on the third day of his week-long preliminary hearing.

The 52-year-old was charged with second-degree murder in connection with the May 17, 2021 death of Charlott Brightnose.

His plea to the lesser offence of manslaughter was accepted by the Crown and followed discussions throughout the day between the defence and prosecution.

Leveille also was convicted of possession of a restricted firearm and ammunition without a licence, and possession of a firearm while prohibited.

Ontario Court Justice Romuald Kwolek heard city police were investigating a sudden death of a woman at Al's Corner Pub on James Street.

The investigation revealed the accused had been there at what one resident described as a "sh--hole," a rooming house, with 10 one-room units, all of which had steel doors, and squatters in some areas.

Officers ultimately discovered Leveille had been involved in a confrontation with the victim about a missing cell phone, assistant Crown attorney Robert Skeggs said.

Leveille entered her room at 9:15  a.m. Another woman who was there said the pair argued and it escalated into a physical fight.

The accused was brandishing a sawed-off shotgun; the victim grabbed the weapon and they struggled with it. The firearm discharged and killed Brightnose, Skeggs said.

Kwolek heard Leveille had purchased bullets for the weapon the day before the incident.

Brightnose's partner said he had left their room to go to a shared kitchen to get juice, and heard some noise. When he returned to their room, he found she was deceased, the prosecutor said.

Another resident described hearing the accused and the victim talking about the cell phone.

"Five minutes later he heard a bang on someone else's door asking to be let in," Skeggs said.

The man said he went inside Brightnose's room and thought she had overdosed, the court heard.

He administered Narcan and then realized that wasn't what had occurred.

The victim died from a single shotgun blast to her neck, Skeggs said.

Leveille, who is in custody, will return to court Oct. 12 for sentencing.

His lawyer, Bruce Willson, said the defence and Crown have a joint position but that his client knows it is ultimately up to Kwolek what sentence is imposed.