The Bridgewater Provincial Courthouse. Photo: NS Justice Department.
A tragic incident unfolded in the summer of 2021, resulting in the untimely death of Kenneth Savory.
Terry Richard Johnson, a 60-year-old resident of Bayport in Lunenburg County, found himself entangled in a complex web of relationships that ultimately culminated in the demise of Kenneth Savory on June 17, 2021.
Johnson had been romantically involved with Angie Bailey for two years, and they had also collaborated at Johnson’s lawn care business.
On June 17, 2021, Ms. Bailey, after finishing her work and returning to Mr. Johnson’s residence, informed him of her intention to visit her own home for a shower and to gather supplies.
An agreed statement of facts, presented by Crown attorney Bryson McDonald at the Bridgewater courthouse, documented the sequence of events.
Ms. Bailey left her two younger children with Terry Johnson’s care and departed using a minivan registered to Mr. Johnson’s company, with Ms. Bailey having permission to use it. Following a stop at her own residence, Ms. Bailey took the ferry across the LaHave River, heading to Kenneth Savory’s home in Dublin Shore.
Kenneth Savory had a prior connection with Ms. Bailey as her former partner and the father of her two older children. Suspecting an affair, Terry Johnson, who had GPS tracking on the minivan (as was standard protocol for his company vehicles), embarked on a journey from Bayport, crossing the LaHave River by ferry to reach Kenneth Savory’s residence.
Upon his arrival at approximately 10:30 p.m., Ms. Bailey left Savory’s home, and a heated argument ensued. Neighbors reported predominantly hearing Ms. Bailey shouting at Johnson during the altercation.
According to the statement, Mr. Johnson reversed his truck down the driveway as Ms. Bailey stood in the middle, goading him with the words, “Hit me, hit me.” In response, Johnson accelerated and swerved away from Ms. Bailey, directing his vehicle toward Kenneth Savory, who had come outside holding a two-by-four piece of wood resembling a baseball bat.
Inadvertently, Terry Johnson’s truck collided with Mr. Savory, trapping him on the vehicle’s front end.
Johnson brought his truck to a halt on the grass, past the driveway, without exiting the vehicle or checking Mr. Savory’s condition. Struggling to free his stuck truck, Johnson drove it back and forth over Mr. Savory’s body two additional times, initially unaware of the situation.
However, as he continued driving over Mr. Savory, Ms. Bailey struck his mirror, urgently informing him that Mr. Savory was trapped underneath. In response, neighbors rushed to the scene, but it was already too late. Mr. Savory had succumbed to blunt force trauma to the chest and was without vital signs.
Terry Johnson eventually maneuvered his vehicle, shouting for Ms. Bailey to take Mr. Savory to the hospital. Associate Chief Justice Patrick Duncan provided Johnson with an opportunity to address the court, where he expressed profound apologies to Savory’s family, acknowledging his responsibility for the unfortunate incident. Johnson admitted to driving recklessly that night and vowed never to let such a tragedy occur again.
In the sentencing phase, the Crown is seeking a 12-year prison term for Johnson, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter earlier that summer, along with a 10-year driving prohibition. Conversely, the defense argues that the circumstances warrant a shorter sentence, proposing four to five years in custody.
The court also deliberated over the credit Johnson should receive for his time spent in remand at Burnside jail, taking into account the challenging conditions that inmates faced during the pandemic.
Justice Duncan is scheduled to announce Johnson’s sentence on October 25.
