1 suspect facing 1st-degree murder trial in death of teen after 4 others plead to lesser charges

Four of five people charged with first-degree murder in the death of a teen in Trenton, Ont., last year have pleaded guilty to lesser charges.

Only one man, Aaron Ryan, remains accused of murdering the 17-year-old and is headed for trial. Two others, Harold Russell and Steven Courneyea, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the incident.

Provincial police previously said they were conducting a wellness check at a motel on Dundas Street E. on Jan. 7, 2024, when they found someone dead inside the building.

The judge in the case has ordered a publication ban, which prohibits the reporting of any information that could identify the victim.

Nearly a month after the teen's body was found, police announced five people had been arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

The accused appeared in court last week where all but one entered pleas, according to court documents reviewed by CBC.

Khadijah Courneyea, 30, pleaded guilty to obstructing a police officer and served six months of pre-sentence custody. Courneyea also received two years of probation.

Morgan Belyea, 23, pleaded guilty to robbery and received a 14-and-a-half-month conditional sentence, including five months of house arrest, along with a DNA order, weapons prohibition and two years of probation. 

Russell, 44, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and received a four-and-a-half-year sentence as well as a weapons prohibition and DNA order.

Steven Courneyea, 27, pleaded guilty to manslaughter as well as breaking and entering, theft and possession of stolen property. The manslaughter charge carried a sentence of five years, while the other charges added another year, according to court documents.

Ryan, who is now 28, is the sole accused still facing a first-degree murder charge and is set to appear in court March 7.