Calgary man found guilty in death of girlfriend’s 22-month-old daughter

A Calgary man who admitted to murdering his former girlfriend but denied killing her daughter has now been found guilty in the child’s death.

Robert Leeming, who is 36, pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial to the second-degree murder of Jasmine Lovett in 2019 but not guilty in the death of 22-month-old Aliyah Sanderson.

His lawyer said during closing arguments in November that there’s no evidence to prove Leeming was responsible for the girl’s death.

On Monday morning, Leeming was found guilty of second-degree murder in Aliyah’s death.

“Very relieved,” said Aliyah’s grandmother Jodi Sanderson when talking to reporters following the verdict.

https://twitter.com/Tommy_Slick/status/1485670074916556801

“I think I held my breath the whole time,” added Kim Blankert, Lovett’s mother and Aliyah’s grandmother. “I actually wanted to get up and hug the judge.”

Sanderson sobbed in the courtroom when the final verdict was read, and the family comforted each other outside as this finally brought an end to a nearly three-year-long saga.

On the other hand, Leeming showed almost no emotion and was hunched over while the judge read the lengthy decision. It mirrored his attitude throughout the trial where he even appeared to be falling asleep at times.

“His actions and demeanor were nothing but disturbing,” said Sanderson.

Leeming testified he was looking after Aliyah when she fell down some stairs, then he found her limp and unresponsive when he checked on her later.

On Monday, a judge said his story was not believable and it was clear he caused her death as well.

The family said there was always a sinking feeling that maybe Leeming would not be convicted in the little girl’s death

“I was worried. We knew he did it,” said Blankert.

He said he snapped when Lovett accused him of doing something to her child and struck her several times with a hammer before coming back with a rifle and shooting her in the head.

The bodies of the mother and child were found buried in a shallow grave in Kananaskis Country, west of Calgary, in May 2019 after they went missing weeks earlier.

Read more: 

• ‘Lack of evidence’ should raise doubt in Calgary toddler’s death: defence

• ‘You’re looking at it’: Undercover officer says suspect led them to burial site

• Trial hears Calgary man took steps to hide deaths of girlfriend and her daughter

Leeming revealed the location to undercover police officers after he spoke to the media to claim his innocence.

Other disturbing details of the case were also revealed, including how Leeming doused Aliyah’s body in gasoline in an attempt to destroy some evidence.

The Crown Prosecution Service said their thoughts are with the grieving family and wanted to give credit to police for getting to the bottom of such a troubling case.

“The only reason we’re standing here is because they tirelessly knocked themselves out on this one. And this was brilliant police work that resulted in bringing Mr. Leeming to justice for what he did,” said prosecutor Douglas Taylor, who added this was an extremely tough case for them to tackle as well.

https://twitter.com/Tommy_Slick/status/1485677308383952897

“In a case like this, it’s impossible for it to leave your mind the magnitude of what you’re dealing with.”

Sentencing will happen at a later date, but Taylor said they will likely seek a prison term in excess of ten years before parole eligibility.

The family said they are happy to move on and will carry the memories of Lovett and Aliyah with them.

“I think about them every day, every hour,” said Blankert.

“That does give me a lot of relief to know they are in a better place,” said Sanderson. “That is one thing that helps me stay strong. We will see them again.”