July 9, 2021
WINNIPEG, Canada—Justice has finally been survived for the murderers who shook the tight-knit Filipino community in Winnipeg. The parents of 17-year-old Jaime Adao Jr. fought back tears as they sat in the courtroom during sentencing.
31-year-old Ronald Bruce Chubb was sentenced to life in prison, without the possibility of parole for at least 12 years after pleading guilty to second-degree murder. His accomplice, Geordie Delmar James—who also pleaded guilty in October 2020—was sentenced to five years in prison for manslaughter, according to CBC.
“We’re so grateful that we got the justice—we got the justice and my son’s life is not in vain,” Jaime’s mother, Imelda Adao stated.
“I forgive them, but they have to face the circumstances [of what] they did to my son,” an emotional Imelda Adao told reporters after the hearing.
On the night of March 3, 2019, Adao heard loud banging downstairs and immediately called 911—fearing for his sleeping grandmother’s life.
Armed with a kitchen knife and intoxicated, Chubb went upstairs and entered the bedroom where Adao was hiding, while James was stealing items in the basement.
A struggle soon ensued, which was heard by the 911 operator. Adao was fatally stabbed multiple times in the back, neck, and arms with his own kitchen knife.
“The fear in this child’s voice had a profound impact on the 911 operator who heard the call,” stated Crown attorney Vannesa Gama. “To say it’s chilling is an understatement.”
By the time police arrived, Adao was dead and Chubb refused to drop the knife he was holding—now covered in blood. Police then shot Chubb multiple times. James heard the gunshots from downstairs and attempted to flee with the stolen items, reports CBC.
However, James dumped the stolen items and ran through a back door once he saw a police cruiser outside and was arrested shortly after.
Jaime Adao Jr. was a senior at Technical Vocational High School and often helped his parents at their family-owned business, Jimel’s Bakery. His parents later received an honorary high school diploma in his memory.
Adao was a talented baker and was planning on attending Red River College. His hopes and dreams were to become an executive chef in a hotel and continue learning about the family business, according to CBC.
“Sometimes I know we’re just pretending we’re OK,” she said after the court hearing, “but deep in our heart, the pain is there.”
Feature Images via CBC