Burrell freed after more than a year in custody
After spending more than a year in jail, Ramone Anthony Burrell, 31, of Florenceville-Bristol, was released with conditions when he appeared in Woodstock Provincial Court in custody on Sept. 28.
Defence Counsel Ben Reentovich advised the court Burrell’s partner would be coming from Ontario to the Madawaska jail to pick him up on Sept. 29, and he would be going to an address in Florenceville-Bristol.
Judge Sebastian Michaud ordered Burrell to return to court on Dec. 14 at 1:30 p.m. for a verdict following his one-day trial on charges of uttering threats and obstructing the course of justice.
Woodstock Police laid the charges in connection with family court proceedings on Nov. 1, 2022, initiated by social workers at the Department of Social Development.
As part of his release, the court ordered Burrell to have no contact with the social workers involved in the case.
The court heard the accused had completed a one-year jail sentence on other charges of assault, threats, intimidation and criminal harassment for more incidents related to a 2021 investigation by Social Development.
Burrell was denied bail and remanded on June 2, 2022, after being arrested on warrants by Hamilton Regional Police.
In addition to his one-year jail sentence, he spent several months in remand waiting for trial.
On Sept. 28, two social workers testified they were in family court in Woodstock on Nov. 1, 2022, to give evidence in a child protection matter when Burrell stood up in the prisoner’s dock, waved his arms, pointed his finger at three social workers, began to swear and yelled: “Make sure I stay in jail…Forever!”
The crown played an audio tape of Burrell’s actions in family court.
Crown Prosecutor Christopher Lavigne described Burrell’s outburst as “rapid fire” and a “scary moment” for the victims seated only a few feet away in the courtroom.
For the social workers, Burrell’s words were perceived as a threat based on the circumstances of the case, said Lavigne. Sheriffs immediately took Burrell in hand when the incident occurred.
Lavigne argued the accused was also guilty of obstructing the course of justice because he interrupted testimony during family court proceedings at the Court of King’s Bench.
Defence Counsel Ben Reentovich acknowledged the Burrell file was a highly sensitive case for Social Development. However, he contended what Burrell did was simply bad behaviour based on emotion and not a criminal act.
“We don’t know what he meant by those words,” said Reentovich. “He didn’t cross the line. There is not enough context or evidence to support the charge. It is not against the law to get angry.”
Reentovich also argued his client did not obstruct the course of justice because the family court took a recess, and then the proceedings resumed without further incident.
He said Burrell did not have specific intent to obstruct justice when he lost control in the courtroom.
“He didn’t specifically intend to do anything,” Reentovich said. “He had an emotional outburst and didn’t cross the line.”
The defence attorney said Burrell should be acquitted on both charges, noting the accused had already served enough time in remand to purge any sentence he could receive on conviction.
Reentovich said continuing to hold Burrell in jail to wait for a decision on his trial could, at this point, be considered a miscarriage of justice.
Judge Michaud agreed and freed Burrell until the verdict on Dec. 14. The judge told Burrell he must notify the authorities if he leaves the province for Ontario.
Arrested and released with conditions
Dustin Arthur Hawksley, 28, of Greenfield, appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Sept. 28. He was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
The court placed Hawksley under house arrest at a residence in Greenfield. He returns to court for plea on Oct. 17 at 9:30 a.m.
The RCMP charged Hawksley with break and enter at a dwelling house, two counts of assault on a female victim, and assault with a weapon (a plate) in connection with an incident on July 2 at Bloomfield.
Woodstock Police also charged him with assaulting a female, assault by choking and breach of an undertaking for another incident on Aug. 5 in Woodstock. He was arrested on a warrant on Sept. 24.
Hawksley was ordered to have no contact with the two complainants and must have no drugs, alcohol or firearms in his possession. He must also attend court as required.
Warrant being held on file
A warrant is being held on file for Sara Ann Broad, 41, of Moose Mountain, after she failed to appear in court to answer charges on Sept. 26.
RCMP charged Broad with assault on a male victim and breach of an undertaking concerning an incident on June 28 in Johnville. More charges may also be pending.
Returning to court for plea
Brian Clohosy, 53, of Arthurette, will appear in provincial court on Oct. 24 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by RCMP.
Police charged Clohosy with uttering threats and criminal harassment following an incident on June 26 at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation). He made his first court appearance on Sept. 26.
Sentenced to three months and 20 days in jail
Robert Michael Raynes, 41, of Saint John, was sentenced to three months and 20 days in jail when he appeared in provincial court on Sept. 28.
Raynes was charged by Woodstock Police with possession of stolen property from the Walmart Store ($300 in trading cards) and resisting arrest in connection with an incident on Sept. 7 in Woodstock.
He was also charged with breaching a conditional sentence order for an incident on Sept. 8. He pleaded guilty on all counts.
Raynes appeared in court in custody by video on Sept. 19 and told the court he was already in custody for other matters in Saint John. He had a prior criminal record.
Held for bail hearing on 13 charges
Philip Sapper-Solomon, 30, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 28 for a bail hearing on 13 charges laid by RCMP. The bail hearing was adjourned until Oct. 4 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
The RCMP arrested Sappier-Solomon in connection with an incident on Sept. 17 near Beechwood. He was charged with possession of a restricted weapon (a handgun) while prohibited; possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence; two counts of possession of a restricted weapon without a licence; being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm; possession of a loaded, restricted firearm (a handgun); assault and assault by choking involving a female victim; assault with a weapon (a cell phone); two counts of uttering threats; committing mischief causing property damage to a phone and tires, and mischief causing damage to a police vehicle.
Decision reserved after trial
Robert Dale McMann, 47, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court for the continuation of his trial on Sept. 25 after pleading not guilty to charges laid by Woodstock Police. He returns to court for a verdict on Nov. 2 at 1:30 p.m.
McMann pleaded not guilty to unlawful confinement, uttering threats, and assaulting a female victim by choking and attempting to strangle and suffocate her during an alleged Sept. 9, 2021, incident in Woodstock. Woodstock Police laid the charges.
He was also charged with possession of stolen property (an SD card and batteries) owned by Cook Construction Ltd. following an incident on Dec. 22, 2021, in Woodstock. He is also facing another charge of breaching a no-contact order. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for Nov. 1.
Neqotkuk man to be sentenced on two charges
Jacob Perley, 32, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear for sentencing in provincial court on Dec. 19 at 1:30 p.m. after changing his plea to guilty on two charges laid by RCMP.
Perley was charged by RCMP with breach of a release order, breaking and entering a dwelling house, possessing a weapon dangerous to public peace, assault with a weapon, and using an imitation firearm in connection with a Dec. 16, 2021, incident in the community.
He pleaded guilty to the breach and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace. The crown will withdraw the remaining charges.
Perley also appeared in provincial court on Sept. 19 for monitoring about his upcoming trial on drug trafficking charges. His trial dates were moved to Dec. 14 and Dec. 20 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Perley was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, production of cocaine, unlawful possession of ketamine (a date rape drug) for the purpose of trafficking, possession of methamphetamine, obstruction, and breach of an undertaking in connection with an incident on Aug. 26, 2022, at Neqotkuk.
Released with conditions after bail hearing
Brandon Cecil Armour, 34, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court in custody on Sept. 28 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He returns to court for plea on Oct. 10 at 9:30 a.m.
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. Woodstock Police also charged him with prowling at night and resisting arrest in connection with an incident on March 24 in Woodstock. Armour is still awaiting plea on the above charges.
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 breaking and entering a dwelling house, committing mischief causing property damage to a door, and assaulting a female victim, stemming from an incident on June 8, 2022, in Hartland.
Decision reserved after trial
Arshdeep Singh Khasria, 24, of Bedell, appeared in provincial court for the conclusion of his trial in July after pleading not guilty to a sex charge laid by RCMP. The trial verdict was reserved to Sept. 27 and then adjourned until Nov. 1 at 1:30 p.m.
Khasria was charged with sexual assault involving a female victim in connection with an incident on June 16, 2022, near Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty to the charge at a court appearance last fall. The trial involved a day and a half of testimony.
Held in custody for plea
Brandon Schriver, 21, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for plea on Sept. 27 on several firearm charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Oct. 18 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Schriver appeared in provincial court in custody on Sept. 1 for a bail hearing and was remanded to jail. The RCMP charged him with assault, possession of a firearm without a licence, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, impaired driving, possession of a firearm while prohibited, possession of a restricted weapon, and breach of probation following an incident on Aug. 30 at Craig’s Flat in Victoria County.
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.
In custody awaiting plea
Amber Holt, 32, of Bluebell, appeared in provincial court in custody on Sept. 28 for plea on several charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Oct. 17 at 11:30 a.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.
