‘AN AMAZING FATHER:’ Son of man slain in stabbing says his dad always helped others

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The son of a man who was stabbed in a flat at the south end early Tuesday morning said his father James Samson offered the man accused of the murder food and a place to sleep.

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“He’s a great dad, he would do anything for anyone,” Judge Samson, 18, said of his father.

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“He’s always been good to me. He used to call me before bed to say, ‘I love you.’ And now I will never see him again.

Police say James Samson, 45, was found stabbed to death around 1:30am Tuesday at an apartment on Saratoga Place on Bridle Path Drive, just south of Hunt Club Road. Samson was pronounced dead at the hospital. A woman in her 50s who was also injured was also taken to hospital.

Around 3 p.m. Tuesday, the Ottawa Police Department released a bulletin asking for the public’s help in locating a suspect and issued a Canada-wide arrest warrant for Joshua Brennan, 37.

At 5:40 p.m. Tuesday, police issued a bulletin stating that Brennan was arrested in Ottawa and charged with second-degree murder and attempted murder.

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Judge Samson identified the injured woman as his stepmother and said she was discharged from hospital on Wednesday.

James Samson has lived in Ottawa all his life and only lived in the Saratoga Place apartment since around December, his son said. As far as he knew, his father had only recently known Brennan.

Justice said his father offered Brennan food and shelter. “My father tried to help him because he was homeless,” he said.

“He always helped people. If someone got stuck in the snow, he helped them. He was always doing something to help someone else.”

The funeral arrangements are complete.

Brennan appeared briefly in court on Wednesday. He is scheduled to appear in court again on February 10.

Brennan’s attorney, Leo Russomanno, declined to comment.

Anyone with information about the stabbing is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Department Homicide Division at extension 613-236-1222. 5493. Anonymous Tips may be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or online at crimestoppers.ca.