Verdict pending in neighbour dispute
Laura Lee Boehler, 65, of Richmond Corner, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 9 at 1 p.m. for a verdict following her trial about an ongoing dispute with her neighbours.
The trial concluded on Dec. 12 with Boehler testifying in her own defence. Evidence presented by the crown included video surveillance footage surrounding her neighbours’ property and testimony from Boehler’s neighbour Duane Wortman.
After closing arguments from the crown and defence counsel, Judge Lucie M. Mathurin reserved her decision until Jan. 9.
The RCMP charged Boehler with assault with a weapon (a cane), criminal harassment, two counts of committing mischief, and breach of an undertaking concerning incidents between June 28 and Sept. 13, 2021, and between July 3 and Aug. 30, 2021, at Richmond Corner.
She appeared in court in custody in September 2021 in relation to the charges and was later released on an order to keep the peace.
Boehler was also charged with breaching a release order and breaching an undertaking following incidents between July 8 and July 21, 2022, at Richmond Corner. The charges allege she violated a no-contact order to stay away from her neighbours and did not refrain from using any handheld or mobile device to do an audio or video recording or take photos.
During the trial, the court heard about the long-standing dispute between the neighbours that began when the Wortmans moved into their home on Boehler Road in 2010. The Boehlers have lived on a farm on the same road for four generations.
For years, there have been numerous incidents between the two properties with authorities being called several times to settle the dispute. The Wortmans set up heavy video surveillance around their property, while Boehler took photos and kept a file on her neighbours since she returned to the homestead in 2017. She said she reported her neighbours to the fire department, police, provincial environment and transportation departments for various grievances.
Boehler testified she and her mother were being watched daily, and there was lots of noise and name-calling coming from her neighbours. They owned attack dogs, she said, burned garbage, and established a junkyard on the back of their property. She reported them for unsightly premises, and they put up a fence and tarps in 2020 instead of cleaning up their yard.
Defence Counsel Ben Reentovich told the court there were serious problems between the neighbours, but Boehler’s conduct was not criminal.
“Everyone on this street records everything,” he said. “How could either enjoy their property?”
As for the assault charge, Reentovich said Boehler was acting in defence of her elderly mother when the accused swung a cane in front of Sherry Wortman on the public road outside their home. Boehler woke to loud voices around 3 a.m. and ran to her mother’s aid.
“I didn’t want her near my mother,” Boehler testified. “I said this is our space.”
Crown Prosecutor Wesley McIntosh said the Boehlers initiated a “campaign to harass” their neighbours in hopes they would move away. That way, they could regain the privacy they enjoyed on Boehler Road for four generations.
McIntosh explained the ongoing battle between neighbours eventually turned violent. In 2016, Duane Wortman was hit by a car driven by Joyce Boehler, 92, and he took civil action as part of an insurance claim. Joyce Boehler was later convicted of mischief for repeatedly blowing a basketball whistle at her neighbours. The Boehlers have subsequently filed an appeal of her conviction.
The crown contended Laura Boehler was guilty of criminal harassment for continually recording, observing and taking photos of her neighbours or their property. She also admitted she played loud music to “drown out” her neighbours and once pulled down her pants and mooned them while walking up Boehler Road.
She was charged with indecent exposure and convicted but then won an appeal to have the conviction overturned on the grounds she was provoked. She said the Wortmans hung a “mooning doll” in a tree to make fun of the incident, but she made them take it down.
Eventually, she was placed under a court order to have no contact with her neighbours, but she yelled back at Duane Wortman one day while mowing the lawn. The court heard Duane Wortman also assaulted Laura Boehler during another confrontation. Since then, Boehler testified she was afraid of him.
McIntosh argued Boehler committed an assault when she swung a cane in front of Sherry Wortman, and it was done to intimidate her neighbours.
“There was no reasonable threat to her mother,” McIntosh stated. “Things go off the rails and go crazy when Laura Boehler arrives.”
The crown said when Boehler swung the cane and said, “This is our space,” what she really meant was, “This is our place,” and her neighbours were not welcome.
“They would move if they could, but they can’t afford it,” McIntosh said about the Wortmans. “They are stuck there.”
Held for bail hearing
Dawson Sproul, 24, of no fixed address, was scheduled to appear in provincial court for a bail hearing on Jan. 2. He was arrested on a warrant on four charges.
RCMP charged Sproul with uttering threats, two counts of committing mischief causing property damage to a police vehicle and resisting arrest concerning an incident on Jan. 22, 2023, at Jacksonville.
Returning to court for plea
Kyle Glen Anderson, 37, of Hartland, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 30 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on five charges laid by RCMP.
Police charged Anderson with assault involving a female victim, dangerous driving, committing mischief, and two counts of uttering threats in connection with an incident on July 4, 2023, at Ashland. He made his first court appearance on Jan. 2, when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
In custody awaiting bail hearing
Patrick Thomas Tatlock, 59, of Wapske, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Jan. 2 to answer two new charges laid by RCMP. He returns to court on Jan. 12 at 10:30 a.m. for a bail hearing.
Police charged Tatlock with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking and unlawful possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling it concerning an incident on Dec. 12 at Wapske. He appeared in court in custody on Dec. 13 after being arrested on multiple charges by RCMP.
Tatlock was charged with three counts of possession of a firearm while prohibited, two counts of improper storage of a firearm, and three counts of possession of stolen property concerning incidents on Dec. 3 and Dec. 17 in Wapske. Two other charges of altering a manufacturer’s serial number were also laid under the Motor Vehicle Act.
In custody to await bail hearing
Joshua Adam Demerchant, 34, of Pembroke, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Jan. 2. A date for his bail hearing was set for Jan. 4 at 9:30 a.m.
Police arrested Demerchant on a warrant after he failed to appear in provincial court for plea. RCMP charged him with possession of stolen property (an ATV) and failing to stop for police in connection with an incident on July 12 near Hartland.
Demerchant was also charged with two counts of breaching a release order stemming from incidents on Oct. 18 at Pembroke and on Dec. 4 in Woodstock.
The Woodstock Police Force also charged him with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking in connection with a Dec. 5 incident. He was arrested on Dec. 7.
Greenfield man remanded
Dustin Arthur Hawksley, 28, of Greenfield, appeared in provincial court in custody on Dec. 20 for a bail hearing. He was remanded to jail and returns to court for plea on Jan. 16 at 11:30 a.m.
RCMP charged Hawksley with breach of a release order by violating electronic monitoring (ankle bracelet), escaping lawful custody, assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest in connection with an incident on Dec. 6 at Greenfield.
The charges allege Hawksley removed his ankle bracelet. When under arrest, he allegedly punched a police officer in the face, kicked police while they were loading him into a vehicle, and tried to make his escape.
Hawksley is also awaiting plea on several other charges. He appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Sept. 28 and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
He was also placed under house arrest at a residence in Greenfield but was brought back into custody on Dec. 7.
Hawksley was charged by RCMP 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.
Released with conditions
Braeden Paul Thornton, 28, of Hartland, appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Dec. 20. He was released with conditions and returns to court on Jan. 16 at 11 a.m. for monitoring about his trial.
Woodstock Police charged Thornton with assault by choking involving a female victim and breach of probation concerning an incident on Nov. 29 in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for Feb. 8, 2024, at 1:30 p.m.
Returning for plea on more charges
Douglas Thomas Defazio, 35, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Jan. 2 and waived his bail until later. He returns to court in custody for plea on several charges on Jan. 15 at 1:30 p.m.
Woodstock Police charged Defazio with assault involving a female victim concerning an incident on Sept. 21 in Woodstock, theft from Atlantic Superstore on Oct. 4, 2022, theft from Kent Building Supplies on Oct. 25, 2022, and breach of an undertaking on Nov. 21. He was also charged with two counts of breach of a release order and resisting arrest for another incident before Christmas.
DeLong to stand trial in shooting incident
Wyatt DeLong, 28, of Cloverdale, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Dec. 22 after pleading not guilty to four charges. He returns to court in custody on Jan. 8 at 1:30 p.m. to set a trial date.
DeLong was charged with discharging a firearm with intent, flight from police, dangerous driving and breach of probation in connection with an incident on July 14 at Florenceville-Bristol when shots were allegedly fired at a police officer.
Janis Buchanan, 28, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 26 and pleaded guilty to robbery with violence for an incident on May 29 at Florenceville-Bristol. She was sentenced to two years in federal prison on Oct. 24.
DeLong and Buchanan were arrested after a manhunt in Victoria County in connection with a series of incidents in the Upper River Valley.
On Dec. 15, a warrant of committal was issued for DeLong in relation to fines owed. The warrant means he will purge the fines while spending time in remand.
Remanded to jail
Jonathon Daniel Stockford, 35, of Hartland, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Dec. 22 for a bail hearing. He was remanded to jail and returns to court for plea on Jan. 8 at 1:30 p.m.
Stockford was scheduled for sentencing after changing his plea to guilty on other charges laid by RCMP and Woodstock Police when he was arrested on new charges. All matters were adjourned until his next court appearance.
Stockford was charged with theft of fuel from an Esso station in Florenceville-Bristol, breaking into the Sticks and Stones Storage facility on Burnham Road, theft of tires and rims, possession of stolen property, and mischief causing property damage to the storage facility following an incident on Nov. 14. He has not yet entered a plea on these charges.
The court heard more charges are being transferred from Saint John and Fredericton. Stockford intends to plead guilty to those charges prior to his sentencing.
Stockford appeared in custody on Sept. 14 and pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching a release order and committing mischief by damaging an ankle bracelet for an incident on March 28 at Hartland. He was later released with conditions.
He also pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property (a motorcycle), breach of probation, and breaching his curfew for an incident on Oct. 12, 2022, in Woodstock; and guilty to theft, stemming from a separate incident on July 4, 2022, at the Atlantic Superstore in Woodstock.
Stockford was scheduled to appear in provincial court for plea in November but failed to appear after being arrested on other charges in Fredericton and Saint John. He had been in custody since April.
In custody awaiting plea
Brittany Priscilla King, 27, of Upper Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Dec. 21 for a bail hearing. She was remanded to jail and returns to court for plea on Jan. 15 at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police charged King with breach of a release order for an incident on Dec. 15 in Woodstock.
She also appeared in court on Dec. 5 for plea on multiple charges. Those matters were adjourned until Jan. 15 at the request of her defence counsel.
King was charged with three counts of assault, theft and breaking into a dwelling house for a recent incident in Woodstock. She appeared in provincial court in custody on Nov. 8 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to her ankle.
She is also scheduled to appear for trial in provincial court on March 25, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., and April 3, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to other charges laid by Woodstock Police. A pre-trial conference was also set for Jan. 15, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
King was charged by Woodstock Police with possession of a stolen vehicle on Nov. 22, 2022, and failing to attend court on Feb. 21. She was also charged with assaulting a police officer, committing mischief, and resisting arrest for another incident on Nov. 7, 2022, in Woodstock. She appeared in court in custody on March 28 and was released with conditions.
Remains into custody
Steven Frank Powers, 59, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Dec. 21 for a bail hearing. He was remanded to jail and returns to court for plea on Jan. 16 at 11 a.m.
RCMP charged powers with possession of methamphetamine and breach of probation for an incident on Dec. 17 in Plaster Rock.
Released with conditions
Benjamin Watson, 40, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody on Dec. 22 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions and returns to court for plea on Jan. 16 at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police charged Watson with assault with a weapon (a cell phone), assault involving a female victim, breach of a peace bond and breach of probation concerning an incident on Dec. 16 in Woodstock.
Bail hearing scheduled
Dustin Robert Davenport, 40, of Aroostook, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Jan. 2. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on Jan. 4 at 10:30 a.m.
RCMP charged Davenport with uttering threats, breach of probation, breaching a no-contact order, assault involving a female victim, and forcible entry at a dwelling house in connection with an incident on Sept. 4 at Carlingford. He was also charged with dangerous driving for a separate incident on Oct. 13 at Perth-Andover.
Florenceville-Bristol man awaits verdict
Sterling Oakes, 62, of Florenceville-Bristol, appeared for trial in provincial court on Dec. 20 after pleading not guilty to sexual assault. The trial was concluded, and a date for a verdict was set for Jan. 17 at 1:30 p.m.
RCMP charged Oakes in connection with an incident on Jan. 11, 2022, near Florenceville-Bristol.
Jacksonville woman awaiting verdict
Linda Lunn, 55, of Jacksonville, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 22 for a verdict following her trial on two assault charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Jan. 26 at 1:30 p.m.
Lunn was charged with assault and assault causing bodily harm, stemming from incidents involving a minor on Oct. 18, 2022, at Jacksonville.
Perth-Andover man facing sex charges
Matthew Eric Hughes, 28, of Perth-Andover, will appear in provincial court in January for monitoring about his trial on two sex charges laid by RCMP. He appeared in court on Dec. 13 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Hughes was charged touching a minor for a sexual purpose; and invitation to touching for a sexual purpose, stemming from an incident on Oct. 20, 2015, near Perth-Andover.
Memramcook man to be sentenced
Jesse Perry-Belliveau, 31, of Memramcook, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 21 for his trial on three charges related to an incident at Wotstok. He changed his plea to guilty, and a sentencing date was set for Feb. 6 at 1:30 p.m.
Perry-Belliveau was charged with resisting arrest, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of benzimidazole, both for the purpose of trafficking.
On June 8, 2022, at approximately 10:15 p.m., RCMP responded to a report of a possible impaired driver at Wotstok. The driver pulled into a parking lot on Turtle Lane and exited the vehicle due to medical distress. An ambulance was called, and the driver was treated by paramedics at the scene.
Once cleared by paramedics, police attempted to detain the man, who then fled from police. Following a short pursuit on foot, he was apprehended and arrested for impaired driving. During a search of the vehicle, police seized significant quantities of narcotics.
Facing new charge
Ashley Dawn Giberson, 33, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Jan. 2 via teleconference to answer a charge laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until March 5 at 9:30 a.m.
Giberson was charged with breach of a release order by failing to follow a curfew between Sept. 1 and Nov. 9 in Woodstock.
Giberson also appeared in court in custody in December and was released with conditions. RCMP charged her following an incident on Sept. 30, 2022, at the Cozy Cabins in Lower Woodstock.
Florenceville-Bristol man to stand trial
Troy Keenan, 50, of Florenceville-Bristol, appeared in provincial court on Jan. 2 and pleaded not guilty to an assault charge. His trial date was set for Nov. 6 at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged Keenan with assaulting another man while threatening to use a weapon (a knife) in connection with an incident on July 1 at Florenceville-Bristol.
Trial date set for Giberson
Maxwell Giberson, 29, of Florenceville-Bristol, appeared in provincial court on Jan. 2 to answer a charge laid by Woodstock Police. He pleaded not guilty to breach of probation, and a trial date was set for Oct. 9 at 1:30 p.m.
Giberson appeared in provincial court in custody on Oct. 24 and was released with conditions. He was arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court on Oct. 5. He turned himself into sheriffs at the Woodstock courthouse. Woodstock Police charged him with breach of probation.
The court ordered Giberson to have no contact with the complainants without the authorization of Social Development and to attend court as required.
Arrest warrant issued
The court issued an arrest warrant for Joshua Desroches, 19, of Woodstock, after he failed to appear in court for plea on Jan. 2.
Desroches was charged by RCMP with breach of an undertaking by violating a no-contact order stemming from an incident on Sept. 25 near Woodstock. He was arrested and later released from custody with conditions. He appeared in court on Dec. 12 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Awaiting plea on two charges
Gabriel John Tomah, 21, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear in provincial court on Jan. 23 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by RCMP. He was scheduled for plea on Jan. 2 when the matter was adjourned at the request of his defence counsel.
Tomah was charged with assault involving a female victim and uttering threats in connection with an incident on Oct. 1 at Neqotkuk.
More charges for Benton man
Edward Hayes Jr., 27, of Benton, appeared in provincial court on Jan. 2 to answer two charges laid by Woodstock Police. He returns to court for plea on Jan. 23 at 9:30 a.m.
Hayes was charged with assaulting another man and breach of probation concerning an incident on June 1 in Woodstock.
He will also return to court on Jan. 9 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on other charges laid by RCMP. Hayes was charged with driving while prohibited and breach of probation for an incident on the Trans Canada Highway near Woodstock on July 1.
On Oct. 19, he appeared for trial in provincial court after pleading not guilty to other charges of sexual assault and unlawful confinement. The trial was adjourned until July 10, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Hayes was charged by RCMP with sexual assault and unlawful confinement involving a female victim between May 18 and June 13, 2022, in Summerfield.
Another warrant issued
The court issued an arrest warrant for Catherine Polchies, 46, of Wotstok, after she failed to appear in court on Jan. 2 for plea on charges laid under the Fish and Wildlife Act.
Polchies appeared in provincial court in custody on Nov. 15 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. She was charged with discharging a firearm too close to a dwelling house and not wearing hunter orange following an incident on Sept. 27, 2022, at Lower Woodstock. She failed to return to court for plea, and a warrant for her arrest was issued.
Bath woman charged with driving offences
Delta Joy Bowmaster, 44, of Bath, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 23 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on charges laid by RCMP. She appeared in court on Jan. 2 when the matter was adjourned to allow her more time to secure legal counsel.
Bowmaster was charged with impaired driving, impaired driving causing bodily harm, and reckless endangerment involving a minor following an incident on May 11 at Odell.
Hartland man to enter plea
Dylan Rideout, 25, of Hartland, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 23 at 9:30 a.m. for a plea on three charges laid by RCMP. He appeared in court on Jan. 2 when the matter was adjourned to allow him more time to consult legal counsel.
Rideout was charged with uttering threats involving a female victim, possession of a firearm without a licence and careless use of a firearm (a shotgun) concerning an incident on Aug. 9 at Cloverdale.
Wakefield man pleads not guilty
Jeret Everett of Wakefield appeared in provincial court on Jan. 2 for plea on a string of charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. He pleaded not guilty on all counts, and a trial date was set for Oct. 10 at 9:30 a.m.
Everett appeared in provincial court in custody on Nov. 14 and was released with conditions. Woodstock Police charged him with uttering threats involving a female victim in connection with an incident between May 1 and July 31 in Woodstock. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant.
Everett was charged by RCMP with breach of an undertaking, possession of a firearm without a licence, possession of a prohibited weapon (a sawed-off shotgun), being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm and improper storage of a firearm concerning a police check of a vehicle on Oct. 27 in Florenceville-Bristol.
The court heard bear spray and a machete were also found in the vehicle. Everett has a limited prior criminal record. He must follow a curfew, have no drugs or weapons in his possession, and report to the police weekly as part of his release.
Everett is also facing other charges in Fredericton in connection with a break-in at a dwelling house in Hawkins Corner in February.
In custody awaiting plea
Christopher Elliott, 33, of Weaver, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Dec. 21 to answer a series of charges laid by RCMP. He waived his bail until later and returns to court for plea on Jan. 9 at 11:30 a.m.
Elliott appeared in court in custody via teleconference on Oct. 24 and was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing. He faced new fraud charges and possession of stolen property (a debit card) concerning an incident on July 18 at Plaster Rock.
Elliott was also charged with resisting arrest and possession of ammunition while prohibited for an incident on Oct. 23. He was also charged with failing to appear in court for his trial in Woodstock on Aug. 23.
Elliott pleaded not guilty to firearm charges on April 18, and his trial date was set. He was charged with possessing a prohibited weapon without a licence, concerning an incident on November 4, 2020, at Gladwyn.
He was also charged under the Fish and Wildlife Act with having a loaded firearm in a vehicle, possession of a firearm without a licence, and hunting without a licence on Nov. 4, 2020.
Elliott and Amber Holt, 32, of Bluebell, are jointly charged by RCMP with possession of a firearm without a licence (.22 Magnum rifle) and careless use of a firearm for another incident on June 22, 2022, in Weaver.
Elliott was also charged with possession of a firearm while prohibited from having it in connection with the same incident in Weaver. Holt is currently in custody, awaiting sentencing on numerous charges.
