
'It’s not gonna bring my daughter back': Jury hands three men guilty verdicts in death of Windsor woman
Madisen Gingras, 20, was shot to death on April 1, 2020.
Her boyfriend, Jacob Reaume was also shot but survived his injuries.
Warning: contains graphic content.
After a trial that lasted 17 weeks and four days of deliberating, the jury of 12 people returned early Friday afternoon with their guilty verdicts for three men.
“I'm very happy with the verdict today,” said Brenda Gingras, Madisen’s mother. “They deserve to be punished for what they did. You know, what they did to her that night. It was horrifying.”
During the trial, court heard Gingras had her hands bound by a zip tie and a strap around her neck before she was shot at point blank range in the back of the head in her boyfriends car.
This, after she and Reaume were confined to a bathroom in a motel in South Windsor where the suspects played Russian roulette with the couple.
“I’m happy for the outcome of the trial,” said Brenda Gingras moments after the jury delivered their verdicts Friday.
They found Tameko Vilneus and Keermaro Rolle guilty of first degree murder and attempted murder.
“He's dismayed,” said Christopher Hicks, defence lawyer for Vilneus who added his client is a “strong” person with the ability to handle the conviction.
“It was a long and difficult trial. There were controversial moments. We need to think about this and get instructions from Mr. Vilneus and see what our next step is,” said Hicks.
CTV News was unable to interview Frank Retar, defence lawyer for Rolle, after Friday’s proceedings.
The third accused, Kyle Hanna, was found guilty of second degree murder but not guilty of attempted murder.
“Both Mr. Hanna and I are obviously disappointed,” said defence lawyer Harpreet Saini.
After delivering their verdicts, the jury was then given the chance to make a parole ineligibility recommendation to Justice Maria Carroccia to consider during Hanna’s sentencing hearing.
Saini explains why it was only up for consideration for his client and not Vilneus and Rolle.
“The parole ineligibility before 25 years only comes up in the context of second degree murder,” said Saini. “The others were found guilty of first degree murder. There is no parole, ineligibility before 25 years (served in prison).”
Here is what the jury recommended:
- 1 juror recommended 10 years parole ineligibility
- 2 jurors recommended 15 years parole ineligibility
- 4 jurors recommended 20 years parole ineligibility
- 2 jurors recommended 25 years parole ineligibility
- 3 jurors made no recommendation
Nicole Lamphier and Delia Greco, the two Assistant Crown Attorneys on the case told CTV News they are “very happy” with the verdicts.
“The jury took their time. They thought everything through and we're really happy with their very thoughtful decision,” said Lamphier. “They’ve taken (time) from their family over four months. Away from their family. Away from their lives. Away from work. Everything. It's incredible.”
Lamphier and Greco both say a trial of this length and magnitude is “unusual” and expressed their thanks Friday not only to their office and the court staff but also WindsorpPolice.
“The hours they put in through this initial investigation. Unbelievable. The time they've devoted to us for every question we asked. Day or night, weekends, holidays, they were always there. We thank them for that.”
Justice Maria Carroccia thanked the jury in court Friday for their “careful consideration” and dedication in coming to “a just verdict”.
“Your service is now over,” Justice Carroccia told them. “You are free to go.”
The three accused didn’t show any out word sign of emotion after the verdicts and recommendations were delivered.
Their lawyers met immediately with each one, after Hanna, Vilneus and Rolle were lead from the courtroom.
The lawyers and judge will set a date for a sentencing hearing when they return to a Windsor courtroom on July 28.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Freeland introduces bill to remove GST off rental developments, amend competition law
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland introduced legislation this morning that would remove GST charges from new rental developments and update the country's competition law.
In a first, RNA is recovered from extinct Tasmanian tiger
Researchers said on Tuesday they have recovered RNA from the desiccated skin and muscle of a Tasmanian tiger stored since 1891 at a museum in Stockholm.
This cognitive interface tech can understand intentions without users having to do anything at all
With technological advancements in voice command programs, it’s become a new normal for people to speak into their devices to operate their home appliances and gadgets. But a Canadian technology start-up is working on remoting devices without users needing to do anything at all.
First Bob Ross TV painting, completed in a half an hour, goes on sale for nearly US$10 million
A Minneapolis gallery is asking US$10 million for 'A Walk in the Woods,' the first of more than 400 paintings that Bob Ross produced on-air for his TV series 'The Joy of Painting.'
India suspends visa services for citizens of Canada, tells it to cut its diplomats
India halted all visa services for citizens of Canada and told it to reduce its diplomatic staffing Thursday as a rift widened between the countries after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said India may have been involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen.
ICC war crimes tribunal hobbles on despite hacking
The Netherlands-based International Criminal Court was operating on Thursday with disruptions to email, streaming and document-sharing after a hacking incident earlier in the week, sources and lawyers at the tribunal said.
Cutting obituary for B.C. man thanks karma for 'doing what she does best'
Few obituaries begin with the words, "I am pleased to announce" – but Amanda Denis believes in blunt honesty.
Fraud in auto, credit card, mortgage sectors rise amid interest rate hikes: Equifax
New data suggests an uptick in fraud in the auto, credit card and mortgage sectors is driven by growing financial pressures on consumers and by fraudsters using bold schemes.
From Centre Ice Conservatives to Canadian Future, a new federal party takes shape
The interim leader of Canada's newest federal party says he wants it to be an option for people who are tired of both the governing Liberals and the "rage farming" coming from the Conservatives.