Butler hires new lawyer for December trial in kidnapping, shooting case

1. Butler hires new lawyer for December trial in kidnapping, shooting case

Rodney Butler, 49, of Bulls Creek, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 5 and confirmed he secured a new lawyer for his upcoming trial involving an alleged kidnapping and the shooting death of his former partner.

Defence Counsel Alex Pate told the court via teleconference that he will represent Butler at his five-day trial set for Dec. 4, Dec. 6-8, and Dec. 11 at 9:30 a.m.

The court set a monitoring date for Sept. 19 at 11 a.m. Pate said he planned to adjust his schedule as necessary to represent Butler at trial.

RCMP charged Butler with reckless discharge of a firearm, indictable assault, uttering threats, using a handgun to kidnap Chris Demerchant, unlawful confinement, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, possession of a firearm without a licence, and illegal possession of a firearm in a vehicle, following an incident on Nov. 13, 2021, at Bulls Creek.

On that date, RCMP responded to the scene of a fatal shooting on Route 165 at Bulls Creek. Christine Pelletier-Thibodeau, 35, died as a result of her injuries. Over the next several days, police tape was erected around the property, including a residence surrounded by a vehicle salvage yard.

Timothy Grant, 30, of Canterbury, will appear for his two-day trial on Sept. 6-7 at 9:30 a.m. on charges related to the alleged kidnapping.

Grant pleaded not guilty to three charges concerning an incident on Nov. 13, 2021, in Scott Siding. RCMP charged him with using a handgun to kidnap Chris Demerchant, unlawful confinement, and indictable assault.

2. Fined for impaired driving

Travis Sappier, 25, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Sept. 5 and pleaded guilty to an impaired driving charge. He was fined $1,500 and was prohibited from driving for one year.

RCMP charged Sappier in relation to an incident on May 3 at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation).

3. Arrested in the courtroom

Denise Cole, 40, of no fixed address, was arrested on a warrant and taken into custody on Sept. 5 for leaving court without following the judge’s instructions.

Cole appeared in provincial court to answer three charges laid by RCMP. Police charged her with committing mischief and breaching an undertaking for incidents on Aug. 10 and Aug. 29 at Woodstock First Nation.

She agreed to sign a six-month peace bond, and the two charges did not proceed. She also pleaded guilty to driving while suspended and requested sentencing take place immediately.

Associate Chief Judge Brian C. McLean asked Cole to wait to sign the peace bond and hear her sentence on the motor vehicle charge.

However, Cole left court, and a warrant was issued. She returned a short time later and was arrested.

After spending about an hour in jail, Cole returned to court in custody.

She was fined $600 for driving while suspended and was released. She had one prior conviction for the same offence.

4. Warrants issued for Gray brothers

The court issued an arrest warrant for Cole Gray of Upper Kintore after he failed to appear in provincial court on Sept. 5 to answer an assault charge. RCMP charged him with assault involving a female victim concerning an incident on June 13 at Kintore.

A warrant is being held on file for Gunner Gray of Upper Kintore after he also failed to appear in provincial court on Sept. 5. He was charged with assault with a weapon against another man in connection with an incident on June 11 at Kintore.

5. Remanded for sentencing

Marshall Turner, 22, of Beaconsfield, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 1 and pleaded guilty to three charges laid by RCMP.

He was remanded to jail until sentencing on Oct. 5 at 1:30 p.m.

RCMP charged Turner with committing mischief, dangerous driving and breach of probation concerning an incident on Aug. 26 at Beaconsfield. He was arrested and held in custody for a bail hearing but then pleaded guilty.

6. Held in custody for plea

Brandon Schriver, 21, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court in custody on Sept. 1 for a bail hearing and was remanded to jail. He returns to court in custody for plea on Sept. 12 at 11:15 a.m.

RCMP charged Schriver with breach of probation following an incident on Aug. 30 at Craig’s Flat.

Crown Prosecutor Geoff Hutchin told the court more charges are pending against the accused.

The court heard Schriver was a parolee from federal prison. He was sentenced to two years in prison in January 2022 for a series of thefts across Victoria County.

7. Neqotkuk man released with conditions

Collin Francis Bear, 35, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Aug. 31 and was released with conditions. He returns to court for plea on Sept. 19 at 1:30 p.m.

Bear was charged with assault, two counts of assault with a weapon (an axe and a mirror) involving a female victim, possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence (an axe) in connection with an incident on Aug. 26 at Neqotkuk.

8. Arrested and released

Kayla Dawn Tibbits, 32, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody on Sept. 5 after being arrested on a warrant. She was released from custody. The court heard she turned herself in to sheriffs at the courthouse.

Tibbits failed to appear in provincial court on Aug. 29 to answer a charge laid by Woodstock Police. She was charged with shoplifting at the Atlantic Superstore in Woodstock on Jan. 10.

The crown agreed to divert the charge to the alternative measures program. Tibbits has until Dec. 5 to complete the program. If she is successful, the crown will withdraw the charge.

9. Remanded for plea

Jesse Adam Shaw, 32, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody on Aug. 31 for a bail hearing and was remanded to jail. He returns to court in custody for plea on Sept. 12 at 10:15 a.m.

Woodstock Police charged Shaw with breach of a release order by violating an order to have no contact with a female victim.

He appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on June 19 and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.

He was scheduled to return to court for plea on July 11 but was brought back into custody.

At his previous court appearance, the Woodstock Police Force charged Shaw with several offences, including assault, uttering threats, and committing mischief concerning a series of incidents between April 20 and May 8, between May 1 and May 8, and between June 11 and June 14 in Woodstock.

10. Ontario man in prison awaits another sentence

An Ontario man appeared in court in custody by video from federal prison on Aug. 31 to answer two new charges laid by RCMP.

Quincy Gosse, 45, of no fixed address, was charged with assaulting a female victim and breach of a no-contact order stemming from an incident on May 20, 2022, in Juniper.

He pleaded guilty, and the court rescheduled his sentencing date for Sept. 14 at 1:30 p.m. Gosse was sentenced in March to four and a half years in federal prison, minus time served, for attacking a woman with a knife in Juniper last summer.

11. Sentencing set on two charges

Kerry Shawn Dennis, 61, of Woodstock First Nation, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 5 and pleaded guilty to two charges laid by Woodstock Police. The court set a sentencing date for Dec. 5 at 1:30 p.m.

Dennis was charged with possession of methamphetamine and carrying a concealed weapon (brass knuckles) stemming from an incident on March 2 in Woodstock.

12. Trial set on assault charge

Chad Leighton, 45, of Benton, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 5 and pleaded not guilty to an assault charge. His trial date was set for April 22, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.

RCMP charged Leighton with assault on a minor in connection with an incident on May 8 in Benton.

13. Grafton man to stand trial

Matthew Allan Dukeshire, 32, of Grafton, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 5 and pleaded not guilty to a charge of impaired driving. His trial date was set for April 19, 2024, at 1:30 p.m.

RCMP charged Dukeshire following an incident on May 9 in Lindsay. He told the court he was securing legal counsel for his trial.

14. Awaiting plea on assault charge

Kathryn Graham, 26, of Grafton, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 5 to answer an assault charge. The matter was adjourned for plea until Sept. 26 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of her defence counsel.

RCMP charged Graham with assault on a minor in connection with an incident on May 1 in Grafton.

15. Trial scheduled on two charges

Elisha Dawn Stairs, 44, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 5 and pleaded not guilty to two charges laid by RCMP. A trial date was set for April 8, 2024, at 1:30 p.m.

Stairs was charged with refusing a breathalyzer demand and impaired driving, stemming from an incident on May 11 near Hartland.

16. Canterbury man awaiting trial

Issiah Tobi Gabriel, 21, of Canterbury, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 5 and pleaded not guilty to several charges laid by Woodstock Police. His trial date was set for June 28, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.

Gabriel appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 22 and was released with conditions including house arrest. RCMP charged him with breach of a release order on Aug. 19.

Gabriel appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 8 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions until his next court appearance but was taken back into custody following an incident on Aug. 19.

The Woodstock Police Force charged Gabriel with assault on a female victim, assault by choking and committing mischief causing property damage following an incident on Aug. 5 in Woodstock.

As part of his release, he must follow a curfew and have no contact with the complainant. He will be residing at a residence in Canterbury.

17. Perth-Andover man to stand trial

Joseph Martin, 37, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 5 and pleaded not guilty to a series of charges laid by RCMP.

The court set Martin’s trial date for May 6, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. A monitoring date was also scheduled for Dec. 12 at 9:30 a.m.

Martin turned himself in to the sheriffs when he came to provincial court on Aug. 18. He was taken into custody after a warrant was issued for his arrest for failing to appear in court on Aug. 15. Associate Chief Judge Brian C. McLean released Martin with conditions.

Martin also appeared in provincial court in custody on July 18 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions.

RCMP charged him with assault with a weapon (a baseball bat) involving a female victim, uttering threats, and committing mischief causing property damage in connection with a July 18 incident at Perth-Andover.

The court ordered Martin to have no contact with the complainant and must report to the police weekly. It also ordered him to have no firearms in his possession.

18. Pembroke man to enter plea

Joshua Adam Demerchant, 34, of Pembroke, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 26 at 9:30 a.m. to enter a plea on two charges. He appeared in court on Sept. 5 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.

Demerchant was charged by RCMP with possession of stolen property (an ATV) and failing to stop for police in connection with an incident on July 12 near Hartland. He appeared in court on Aug. 15 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.

19. Woodstock man awaiting plea

Braxton Denny, 23, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 5 to answer charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Sept. 26 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.

Denny appeared in provincial court in custody on Aug. 11 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was charged with break and enter at a dwelling house concerning an incident on Feb. 18 in Woodstock.

Denny is also scheduled to appear for trial in provincial court on March 4, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to other charges laid by RCMP.

Denny was charged with committing mischief causing property damage and breach of an undertaking on Dec. 9, 2022, at Upper Woodstock; two counts of assault and committing mischief causing property damage on Dec. 8, 2022, at Upper Woodstock.

He was arrested on a warrant for failing to attend court and was released with conditions. Denny entered his not-guilty pleas at a court appearance on April 25.

20. Neqotkuk man awaiting trial

Aaron Barclay Moulton, 38, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Sept. 5 and pleaded not guilty to four charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for June 3, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. A monitoring date was also set for Jan. 9, 2024, at 1:30 p.m.

Moulton appeared in provincial court in custody on April 24 and was released with conditions. He was charged by RCMP with assault, committing mischief, possession of a prohibited weapon (a taser), and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace following an incident on April 23 at Neqotkuk.

The court ordered Moulton to report to the police weekly, stay away from the community youth centre, and have no weapons, alcohol, or drugs in his possession.

21. Warrant being held on file

A warrant is being held on file for Jacob Jinson, 24, of Woodstock, after he failed to appear in provincial court for plea on Sept. 5.

Jinson appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 22 and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.

RCMP charged e with breach of a release order by failing to follow a curfew in connection with an incident on Aug. 20 in Mainstream. He is now residing at a residence in Somerville.

Jinson also appeared in provincial court in custody on Aug. 14 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. The RCMP charged him with breach of a release order by violating electronic monitoring (ankle bracelet).

That charge concerns an incident on July 30 in Mainstream. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for June 26, 2024, at 1:30 p.m.

On June 26, Jinson and Riley Cowper, 19, of Limestone, elected trial by judge and jury on charges of indictable sexual assault and unlawful confinement. Their 10-day trial will be held at the Court of King’s Bench beginning on Sept. 23, 2024.

Jinson appeared in custody by video on April 3. RCMP charged him with sexual assault involving a female victim, unlawful confinement, and indictable breach of probation concerning an incident on March 26 at Limestone.

He was released with strict conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was also ordered to follow a curfew.

Cowper appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 5 for a bail hearing and was released with strict conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. RCMP charged him with sexual assault involving a female victim, unlawful confinement, and breach of probation in connection with the same incident on March 26 at Limestone.

Cowper also faces a charge for another incident at Limestone last year. RCMP charged him with assault with a weapon (a hammer and tire iron) involving another man on March 23, 2022.

Cowper pleaded not guilty at an earlier court appearance, and a trial date for provincial court was set for Oct. 30 at 9:30 a.m.

22. Request for bail hearing

Amber Holt, 32, of Bluebell, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 5 and requested a bail hearing. The bail hearing was scheduled for Sept. 7 at 1:30 p.m.

Holt appeared in provincial court in custody on Aug. 15 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court. She waived her bail until later and was remanded to jail. She appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on July 27 after being arrested on a warrant. She was released with conditions but failed to return to court.

RCMP charged Holt with possession of a firearm without a licence (.22 Magnum rifle) and careless use of a firearm for an incident on June 22, 2022, in Weaver. A warrant was issued for Holt when she failed to appear in court for plea on the firearm charges.

An earlier warrant was also issued for her in January after she failed to appear in provincial court to answer charges of flight from police and driving while suspended for an incident on Sept. 5, 2022. She is also facing charges of possession of stolen property, fraud, impersonation, and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace.

23. In custody awaiting plea

Brandon Cecil Armour, 34, of no fixed address, will appear in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 6 for plea on charges laid by Woodstock Police.

He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 18 for a bail hearing and waived his bail until later. A date for his bail hearing is expected to be set at his court appearance on Sept. 6.

Woodstock Police charged Armour with breach of an undertaking and failing to attend court on July 11, as well as theft of a vehicle and resisting arrest on Aug. 14.

Armour appeared in court in custody on Aug. 15 after being arrested on a warrant. The Woodstock Police Force charged him with prowling at night and resisting arrest in connection with an incident on March 24 in Woodstock.

He is also scheduled to appear for trial in provincial court on Nov. 16 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to three other charges laid by RCMP.

He entered his plea at a court appearance on Feb. 21.

Armour was charged with break and enter at a dwelling house, committing mischief causing property damage to a door, and assault on a female victim, stemming from an incident on June 8, 2022, in Hartland.

24. Arrested and held for bail hearing

Brady Melvin Crain, 27, of Wicklow, will appear in provincial court in custody on Sept. 6 at 1:30 p.m. for a bail hearing.

Crain appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 28 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear for sentencing. He waived his bail until later.

Crain was charged with assault on a female victim and breach of an emergency intervention order concerning incidents on April 29, 2021, and March 14, 2021, in Woodstock.

RCMP also charged him with breach of a release order on Dec. 6, 2021, at Mount Pleasant. He pleaded guilty, and a sentencing date was set for July 27, but he failed to appear.

He appeared in provincial court on April 18 and pleaded not guilty to other charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for Jan. 17, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.

Crain was charged on April 4 with breaching his release order. He also appeared in provincial court on March 16 on charges of breach of an undertaking, committing mischief, and taking a vehicle without consent in connection with incidents on Aug. 29, 2022, and Oct. 28, 2022, at Perth-Andover.