Limestone man sentenced to three years in prison
Riley Cowper, 21, of Limestone, was sentenced to three years and three months in federal prison, minus time served, when he appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 23.
Judge Karen Lee also placed him on 18 months of probation and ordered him to register with the federal DNA database. Cowper was also handed a lifetime ban on weapons and firearms. He pleaded guilty to two charges related to a violent attack on another local man.
RCMP charged Cowper with attempted murder by using a hammer and a wrench to assault Rodney Butler, mischief causing property damage to a car window, uttering threats, and robbery of a vehicle in connection with an incident on Aug. 10, 2024, at Jackson Falls.
He pleaded guilty to the lesser included offences of indictable assault with a weapon and indictable theft of a motor vehicle. The crown withdrew the remaining two charges.
Cowper has been in custody since his arrest last August and will have 759 days left to serve once his remand time is applied. He had a prior criminal record that included two previous convictions for assault with a hammer in 2022 and 2023.
After attacking Butler, Cowper turned himself in to the police on Aug. 13, 2024. He was ordered to have no contact with Butler, who was treated at the Upper River Valley Hospital for injuries and later released. Seven photos of injuries were entered into evidence, and the hammer and wrench used in the attack were forfeited to the crown. A victim impact statement was also submitted to the court.
Judge Lee said Butler feared for his life during the beating at Jackson Falls. Cowper didn’t stop hitting him with the hammer until Butler stopped moving. The judge noted there was no motive for the crime and described the event as “just senseless violence.”
“To have such a violent history at such a young age is unfathomable,” Judge Lee told the accused. “Society should not be subjected to your violence. Another injurious offence like this will land you in prison for a long time. It’s up to you to find the root cause of this violence and address it. If Mr. Butler had died, this would have been first degree murder and a life sentence.”
“If I wanted him dead, Your Honour, he’d be dead,” Cowper replied.
“I remain hopeful that you will be rehabilitated, but I also remain doubtful,” Judge Lee answered, warning Cowper to “stop smirking.”
She ordered Cowper to have no further contact with Butler, who is currently serving a 10-year federal prison sentence for kidnapping and assault. They could be incarcerated at the same institution.
Crown Prosecutor Samantha Goodine told the court a federal prison sentence was necessary for the accused. She said Cowper had an obsession with “very serious weapons,” while the attack on Butler also involved some planning.
Defence Counsel T.J. Burke explained that Cowper struggled with ongoing mental health issues related to specific family revelations during his teens. He got involved in meth use and went to rehab three times. However, he was not using drugs on the night he attacked Butler.
“This has been an eye opener for him,” Burke stated. “He’s heading to the big boy house and if he commits another violent assault, it’s only going to get worse.”
Burke argued that Cowper needs counselling and should have access to rehabilitation programs available in the federal system. He has been separated from his family while in provincial jail.
At an earlier hearing, the court heard Cowper and Butler met at a swimming hole called the rock quarry on Critter Road outside of Woodstock. Butler was drinking that evening, so Cowper offered to drive him home to Bulls Creek. They left together in Butler’s vehicle around 10:30 p.m.
Much to Butler’s surprise, Cowper drove to a farm in Jackson Falls owned by his employer, Danny Metherall. Cowper told Butler the vehicle was low on gas, got out of the car and went into a shop nearby. Cowper then yelled for Butler to “come check this out.”
As Butler walked into the shop, Cowper struck him on the head, face and arms with a hammer and wrench. When Butler cried out, Cowper said, “shut up,” so Butler played dead on the ground. Then he saw Cowper reaching for a bigger hammer.
Butler got up and ran back to his vehicle, but Cowper had the car keys. He followed Butler and used the hammer to smash out a window in the car. Butler then fled on foot and hid in a nearby cornfield while Cowper yelled for him to come back.
After the attack, Cowper went to Metherall’s residence and informed his boss he had “taken care of Butler” by beating him with a hammer. Cowper then left the property in Butler’s car.
Shortly after, Butler showed up at Metherall’s door covered in blood. He said Cowper tried to kill him. The police were called, and Butler was taken to the hospital. Blood was found on the tools and the shop floor.
Butler’s vehicle was later found burned in Fredericton, and his cell phone was located in Carleton Park on the city’s north side. Butler filed a request for restitution for the loss of his vehicle, but the request was denied since Cowper will be in prison with no means to pay.
Sentenced for assault with utility knife
Gregory Sparks, 25, of Hoyt, received eight months of house arrest and 18 months of probation when he appeared for sentencing in provincial court on May 23.
Sparks will be permitted to attend work during his house arrest, and the last four months will involve a curfew. Judge Karen Lee said he must also register with the federal DNA database and seek counselling as required.
Sparks pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon (a utility knife) involving a female victim and uttering threats concerning an incident on April 20, 2024, at Centreville. He also pleaded guilty to breach of an undertaking by violating a no-contact order.
The court heard he entered a residence and threatened his former partner with a utility knife. Police later found him sleeping in his car with the knife in his possession. The weapon was forfeited to the crown at sentencing. He had no prior criminal record.
Defence Counsel Lindsay Paul told the court Sparks confessed to police upon his arrest. He was struggling with meth use at the time and had a history of mental health issues. She said Sparks was now sober and back at work.
Arrested on a warrant
Kyrin Moulton, 19, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 22 after being arrested in Fredericton on a warrant for failing to attend court.
Moulton was charged with breaching his release order and was remanded to jail to await his plea on June 3 at 1:30 p.m. He waived his bail until later. The court heard other charges are pending in Fredericton.
Moulton appeared in court in custody for a bail hearing in Woodstock on April 1. He was released with conditions and ordered to enter a rehab facility in Sussex. On May 13, the court heard he had absconded from the facility.
Moulton was charged by RCMP with aggravated assault involving another man, breaching a release order, and breach of probation for an incident on Nov. 23, 2024, at Perth-Andover. He has a prior criminal record.
Wotstak man back in custody
Takoda Louis Lee Christian, 19, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 22 after being arrested for breaching his release order. He returns to court in custody by video for a bail hearing on May 29 at 9:30 a.m.
Christian appeared in provincial court on May 13 for a plea on multiple other charges. Those matters were adjourned until May 27 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Christian appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 1 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including house arrest and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
He was charged by Woodstock Police with breach of a release order (house arrest) on April 16 at Wotstak and breach of a no-contact order on April 14 in Woodstock.
He was also charged with assault and unlawful confinement between June 29, 2024, and July 4, 2024, at Wotstak; assault and two counts of assault by choking in Fredericton between Feb. 10 and Feb. 19; and mischief causing property damage to a cell phone between Feb. 10 and Feb. 19 at Wotstak.
He was also charged with assaulting another man with a weapon (a knife), uttering threats and mischief, causing property damage to a window in connection with an incident on April 8 in Lansdowne.
Christian also faces charges laid by Woodstock Police following an assault outside the Royal Canadian Legion on Nov. 14, 2024. Police were called to the scene, and a man was transported to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries.
Christian was charged with indictable aggravated assault, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, and failing to remain at the scene of an accident.
He also appeared in provincial court on April 15 and pleaded not guilty to another indictable assault charge laid by Woodstock Police. His trial was set for April 29, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Christian pleaded not guilty to aggravated assault concerning an incident on March 25 at the AYR Motor Centre. Woodstock. Police said a 16-year-old victim suffered significant injuries in the incident and was transported to the Upper River Valley Hospital for treatment.
In custody awaiting plea
Joshua Raines, 49, of Holmesville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 22 to answer charges laid by RCMP. The matters were adjourned for plea until June 5 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Raines appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on April 24 and spoke to the judge from his hospital bed. The court heard he was involved in a serious accident and had other charges pending in Fredericton.
RCMP charged Raines with dangerous driving, breach of a release order and driving while suspended following an incident on April 20 at Florenceville-Bristol. He waived his bail until later and was remanded to await a revocation hearing at the Court of King’s Bench.
Raines was released from custody in Fredericton in March on strict conditions. He faces a charge of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Lucas Richard Solomon Polchies in the early morning hours of March 12, 2023, in Lincoln near Fredericton.
Released with conditions
Joshua Sterling Trail, 42, of Benton, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 22 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including a curfew and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He will reside in Ashland until his next court appearance on May 27 at 9:30 a.m.
Trial had been in custody since February. He and Larry Shane Kennedy, 50, of Kirkland, were each charged with possession of cocaine and possession of methamphetamine, both for the purpose of trafficking, on Feb. 16 in Kirkland.
Judge Henrik Tonning ordered Trail to have no contact with Kennedy during his release.
Trail appeared in court in custody by video on May 13 and pleaded not guilty to the drug charges. Kennedy adjourned his plea until May 27 at 9:30 a.m., when a trial date will be set for Trail. The court heard Kennedy had not yet heard from his lawyer.
On Feb. 18, Kennedy and Trail appeared in provincial court in custody on indictable robbery charges laid by the RCMP. Kennedy was released with conditions, including house arrest and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. Trail waived his bail until later and was remanded.
They were each charged with indictable robbery of a motor vehicle on Feb. 5 at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation); illegal possession of a firearm (a Russian SKS semi-automatic rifle), and improper storage of a gun on Feb. 16 at Kirkland.
Trail was also charged with fraudulent impersonation for a separate incident on Dec. 9, 2024, at Richmond Corner. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for July 29 at 9:30 a.m.
Trail was also charged with breaking into a dwelling house on Charlotte Street to commit mischief, unlawful entry to commit an offence, possession of break-in tools, possession of a stolen Blue Cross card, mischief causing property damage to a door, interfering with the lawful use of property, and illegal possession of methamphetamine for an incident between Sept. 6-7, 2024, in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial was set for Sept. 4 at 9:30 a.m.
A co-accused, Dynielle Demerchant, 28, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on May 13 to answer the same list of charges for the alleged break-in on Charlotte Street. Her plea was adjourned to June 3 at 1:30 p.m.
Demerchant is also awaiting a new trial date on other separate charges of possession of stolen property and breach of probation concerning an incident on Sept. 17, 2024, in Woodstock. She pleaded not guilty.
Arrested for cutting off ankle bracelet
Brandon Michael Francis, 29, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 22 for a bail hearing. He waived his bail until later and returns to court in custody for plea on June 10 at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged Francis with breaching his release order by violating the conditions of electronic monitoring (ankle bracelet).
Francis and Morgan Nicholas, 28, both of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), also appeared in provincial court on May 20 for plea on charges related to an alleged break-in at a dwelling house. Francis appeared in court in custody via video.
The matter was adjourned for plea until June 10 at 9:30 a.m. to allow both accused more time to secure legal counsel.
Both men appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 1 for a bail hearing. They were released with conditions, including house arrest and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to their ankles. Francis was brought back into custody a few days later.
Francis and Nicholas were each charged with breaking into a dwelling house, mischief causing property damage to a door and window, and assaulting another man with a wooden two-by-four in connection with an incident on April 29 at Neqotkuk. Francis also faces additional charges of uttering threats, resisting arrest, and breach of probation concerning the same incident. Both men have prior criminal records.
Bail hearing adjourned
Daniel Jr. Constandinides, 19, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court in custody on May 23 for a bail hearing. He waived his bail until later and returns to court in custody for plea on June 12 at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged Constandinides with theft of a Canada Post vehicle, theft of mail, and theft of a firearm on March 27 at Perth-Andover. He was also charged with two counts of assault with a weapon (a knife) and committing mischief, causing property damage to a door, for another incident on March 15.
Constandinides was also charged with breaching an undertaking and obstructing police in an incident on March 23 in Perth-Andover.
Trial continues in domestic dispute
Jorge Heinz Fenske, 56, of Greenfield, appeared in provincial court in custody for the continuation of his trial on May 21 after pleading not guilty to several charges laid by the RCMP.
After a full day of testimony, the trial was adjourned again for further continuation on July 18 at 9:30 a.m. The court heard the complainant testify about a tumultuous domestic relationship.
Fenske was denied bail and remanded to jail on Feb. 27. He was charged with breaching an undertaking (no-contact order) in connection with an incident on Feb. 1 at Greenfield and breach of an undertaking (no contact), assault with a weapon and uttering threats between Feb. 14-15 at Greenfield.
Fenske was also charged with assault causing bodily harm involving a female victim, assault with a weapon (a broom), and unlawful confinement for an incident on Nov. 16, 2024, at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation). He was also charged with assault, causing bodily harm, uttering threats and taking a vehicle without consent following an incident on Dec. 10, 2024, at Wotstak.
On trial on sex charges
Johnny Lee Bloodsworth, 39, of Arthurette, appeared in provincial court for the continuation of his trial on May 22 after pleading not guilty to multiple sex charges laid by the RCMP.
After a half-day of testimony, the trial was adjourned again for further continuation on Aug. 14 at 9:30 a.m. The alleged offences involve two complainants.
Bloodsworth was charged with four counts of sexual assault and eight counts of touching a female minor for a sexual purpose in connection with incidents between July 10, 2023, and Sept. 4, 2023, at Arthurette. He pleaded not guilty.
Bloodsworth also pleaded not guilty to sexual assault, two counts of touching a female minor for a sexual purpose, and uttering threats in connection with an incident between April 1, 2023 and Sept. 1, 2023, at Arthurette.
Two firearm charges were laid against him for a separate incident on June 14, 2024, at Arthurette but were later withdrawn by the crown.
Bloodsworth appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 25, 2024, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was ordered to follow a curfew and reside in Grand Falls.
