There are major developments tonight in a case that shocked western New Brunswick more than seven years ago.
Jeffrey John Shannon and his stepdaughter, Jessie Jo Finnamore were murdered in the fall of 2004. Two people were convicted in their deaths, but today a third person was charged in connection with the brutal crimes.
Robert Winmill, 41, was quiet as he arrived at the courtroom in Woodstock this morning to face two counts of accessory after the fact to murder in the deaths of Shannon and Finnamore.
He was brought to the courtroom from the Atlantic Institution in Renous, where he is serving time on an unrelated matter.
"Murder investigations can sometimes take a long time, as in this case," said RCMP spokesperson Const. Chantal Farrah. "As we received more information, we furthered our investigation and Robert Winmill is now facing two charges."
Shannon's body was discovered in a shallow grave near Bath in 2004, while Finnamore's remains were found nearby the following spring.
Charlene Mary Rideout Winmill was convicted of second-degree murder in each case while Jonathan Finnamore was sentenced to prison for the second-degree murder of Shannon.
Police allege that Robert Winmill helped Charlene Winmill to escape prosecution and they also say their investigation is far from being over.
"Investigators believe that another person, or persons, may have been involved in Jessie Jo Finnamore's death," says Farrah. "So, therefore, the investigation is still ongoing."
Cecilia Shannon lost both her husband and her daughter in the murders and she says the new charges have opened an old wound.
"It just brings back everything," she says. "It relives it all just like it happened yesterday and…there's never enough justice, no matter what they do."
"It'll never be over in our minds, I guess."
Winmill remained silent throughout the proceedings and was not asked to enter a plea. He stared mostly at the judge but did glance at the victim's relatives briefly.
He is scheduled to return to court on February 21 to enter a plea.
