Attempted murder trial moving to King’s Bench
Destiny Dawn Innis, 23, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on March 16 for plea on a charge of attempted murder.
Defence Counsel Emily Cochrane told the court Innis intends to elect trial by judge alone at the Court of King’s Bench, but her plea would need to be adjourned until March 30 at 1:30 p.m. while the accused applies for legal aid for the higher court.
Innis was charged by Woodstock Police following a violent altercation at a downtown residence on Oct. 20, 2024, when a 74-year-old woman was assaulted and stabbed in her home.
The victim was transported to the Upper River Valley Hospital and later transferred to the Saint John Regional Hospital with serious injuries. Woodstock Police, the Woodstock Fire Department, and Ambulance New Brunswick were called to her home on Houlton Street around 9 p.m.
Following a bail hearing, Innis was released from custody under house arrest at a residence at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation). She was required to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to her ankle and must have no contact with the victim. She has no prior criminal record.
On Feb. 23, the court heard that Innis had applied to have her release order varied, and the Crown granted the request.
Sentenced for manslaughter
Joshua Raines, 49, of Holmesville, was recently sentenced in Fredericton to four and a half years in federal prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter.
Raines was originally charged with 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. He spent a lengthy time in remand and was released under house arrest to await his sentencing in January.
Raines also had other charges in Woodstock, which were being transferred to Fredericton. He was charged by the RCMP with dangerous driving, breach of a release order, driving while suspended, and careless driving, following an accident on April 20, 2025, at Florenceville-Bristol that put him in the hospital.
On March 18, Defence Counsel Alex Pate said all but one of the charges had been transferred to Fredericton for sentencing. The remaining charge will be handled in Woodstock during a monitoring hearing on April 2 at 1:30 p.m.
Sentencing delayed for drug trafficking
Charles Giberson, 46, of Rothesay, appeared in provincial court for sentencing on March 17 after changing his plea to guilty on a drug trafficking charge laid by Woodstock Police. His sentencing was adjourned until April 16 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Giberson was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, stemming from an incident on July 24, 2024, in Woodstock.
90-day conditional sentence
Jill Smith, 37, of Fielding, was handed a 90-day conditional sentence on March 17 after pleading guilty to breaching her release order. She was also placed on 12 months of probation.
Smith pleaded guilty to being at large on a release order between Oct. 8, 2024 and Jan. 29, 2025, in Greenfield. She was arrested in St. Stephen. Two other breach charges were withdrawn by the Crown.
The first 60 days of her conditional sentence will be spent on house arrest with permission to attend work, followed by 30 days of curfew. She must also seek counselling as required.
Smith will also return to court for plea on April 14 at 9:30 a.m. on five new charges laid by the RCMP.
She was charged with fraud over $5,000, forgery, identity theft, fraudulent impersonation, and possession of stolen mail between Jan. 1 and March 1, 2025, in Florenceville-Bristol. She is also facing more charges in Fredericton. Smith had a prior criminal record.
Held in custody
Gunner Gray, 24, of Upper Kintore, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on March 18 after being arrested on five charges laid by the RCMP. He was remanded for a bail hearing on March 19 at 9:30 a.m.
Gray was charged with two counts of breaching his release order (no driving), flight from police, dangerous driving and impaired driving in connection with an incident on March 17 in Glassville.
He also appeared in provincial court in custody on March 3 and was released with conditions, including the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Gray is scheduled to return to court for plea on March 24 at 9:30 a.m. He was charged with breaching a no-contact order between Feb. 11 and Feb. 27 in Jacksonville and Bath, flight from police, and driving while suspended on Feb. 11 in Jacksonville.
Gray is also scheduled for trial in provincial court on March 18, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to other charges laid by the RCMP.
Gray was charged with uttering threats, resisting arrest, fleeing police and four violations of the Motor Vehicle Act for incidents on Feb. 25, April 8 and July 22, 2025. The court heard the crown will be seeking jail time on the charges.
New charges for Demerchant
James Morgan Demerchant, 24, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court via teleconference from rehab on March 17 when four new charges were laid against him by Woodstock Police.
Demerchant was charged with possession of methamphetamine and resisting arrest on Oct. 12, 2025, in Woodstock, and two counts of uttering threats involving a female victim on Oct. 10, 2025, in Woodstock. He returns to court for plea on April 7 at 9:30 a.m.
On Jan. 8, Demerchant pleaded not guilty to nine other charges laid by Woodstock Police. His trial date was set for Jan. 27, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Demerchant was charged with possession of a prohibited firearm (a sawed-off shotgun) while prohibited from having it, possession of a prohibited firearm without a licence, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of two stolen passports, possession of a firearm with an altered serial number, carrying a prohibited firearm, possession of a loaded prohibited firearm without a licence, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, and carrying a concealed weapon following an incident on Oct. 12, 2025, in Woodstock.
He appeared in court via video for a bail hearing in November and was released with conditions to a rehab facility in Moncton with the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He will remain in rehab for the next eight to 10 months.
Sentence pending on two charges
Clay Hargrove, 30, of Beechwood, appeared in provincial court in custody via video on March 18 to answer two charges laid by the RCMP. The matter was adjourned until April 2 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of Defence Counsel Alex Pate.
Hargrove appeared in court on Jan. 19 after being arrested on a warrant and waived his bail until later.
He pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm to another man and possession of a stolen ATV for an incident on Aug. 27, 2024, at Upper Kent, but failed to return for sentencing. He also faces charges of resisting arrest and identity fraud.
On Jan. 13, Hargrove was charged with failing to appear in court and a probation violation on Jan. 8. His sentencing will be addressed after his plea on the newer charges.
Sentencing on several charges
Bonnie Noel, 57, of Woodstock, appeared for sentencing in provincial court on March 17 after changing her plea to guilty on several charges laid by the RCMP.
After hearing submissions from Crown Prosecutor Sean Corscadden and Defence Counsel Alex Carleton, Judge Rose Campbell adjourned the sentencing until March 19 at 9:30 a.m.
Noel pleaded guilty to breaching three undertakings (no-contact) between Jan. 21, 2024, and Aug. 6, 2024, at North Lake, Canterbury and Jacksonville; guilty to assault on a male victim and breach of a peace bond on Aug. 6, 2024 at Jacksonville; guilty to two counts of assault on Aug. 6, 2024, at Canterbury; and guilty to two counts of failing to appear in court between March 14 and June 13. Several other charges were withdrawn by the Crown.
At her appearance on March 17, the court heard details of an ongoing domestic dispute, family tragedy, and the breakdown of a toxic relationship, which caused Noel to lose control of her emotions. She had no prior criminal record.
She appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Sept. 11 after being arrested on a warrant. Following a bail hearing, she was released with conditions. She told the court she had been in Ontario but surrendered to police upon her return.
Charges withdrawn
Damian Pelletier, 30, of New Denmark, was scheduled to appear for trial in provincial court on March 16 after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by the RCMP. The Crown withdrew the charges, and the trial was cancelled.
Pelletier was charged with driving while impaired by drugs and mischief causing property damage for an incident on June 30, 2022, in Waterville.
Returning for plea
Jesse Andre, 38, of East Brighton, will appear in provincial court on April 2 at 1:30 p.m. for plea on five charges laid by the RCMP.
Andre was charged with aggravated assault, assault causing bodily harm, mischief, dangerous driving and one violation under the Motor Vehicle Act following an incident on Dec. 2, 2025, at East Brighton.
He was scheduled to enter a plea on March 18 when the matter was adjourned at the request of his defence counsel.
Sentencing delayed
Robert Lewey of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) appeared for sentencing in provincial court on March 17 after changing his plea to guilty on two charges laid by the RCMP. His sentencing date was adjourned until March 30 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Lewey pleaded guilty to impaired driving and dangerous driving for an incident on Aug. 25, 2024, at Neqotkuk. Three other charges were withdrawn by the Crown.
Released from custody
Benjamin Ian Watson, 40, of Jackson Falls, will appear in provincial court on April 7 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Watson was charged with assault involving a female victim and breach of a peace bond in connection with an incident on March 17 in Woodstock. He appeared in court in custody via teleconference and was released with conditions.
Facing assault charge
Nicole Lynn Sawyer, 46, of Grand Falls, will appear in provincial court on April 7 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Sawyer was charged with assault involving a male victim and uttering threats for an incident on Feb. 22 in Woodstock. She made her first court appearance on March 10 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Trial date set
Stephen Michael Williams, 38, of Perth-Andover, will appear for trial in provincial court on March 18, 2027, at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to two charges. His trial date was set at a court appearance on March 17.
Williams was charged by the RCMP with flight from police and failing to stop under the Motor Vehicle Act in relation to an incident on April 1, 2025, at Bairdsville.
In custody awaiting plea
Dawson William Boyle, 25, of Taymouth, appeared in provincial court in custody on March 17 and pleaded not guilty to 10 charges laid by Woodstock Police. His trial date was booked for April 8-9, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Boyle was charged with multiple counts of possession of stolen property following an incident in Woodstock on Aug. 24, 2025. He also appeared in court in Saint John on Feb. 2 while in custody, in relation to other, separate charges in Fredericton and Moncton. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for March 9, 2027, at 1:30 p.m. to prepare for his trial on the Woodstock charges.
Charges mounting up
Carly Rae Muzzerolle, 31, of Fredericton, appeared in provincial court on March 17 to answer numerous charges laid by the RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until March 31 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of her defence counsel.
Muzzerolle was charged with two counts of identity theft, fraudulent impersonation, forgery, theft of mail, and possession of stolen mail for incidents between Jan. 1 and March 1, 2025, in Florenceville-Bristol.
She appeared in custody via video on March 5 for a bail hearing and was released on conditions, including a curfew and the requirement to wear an ankle monitor.
She was arrested on a warrant after failing to appear for her trial on Feb. 25 on a stolen property charge (a truck). A new trial will be set at her next court appearance on March 31. She has a dated prior criminal record.
Muzzerolle is also awaiting trial on Sept. 16 at 9:30 a.m. and Oct. 7 at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to theft on Jan. 2, 2025, and breaching an undertaking on Aug. 22, 2025, in Woodstock. She also faces more charges on March 20 in Fredericton and on March 25 in Saint John.
Returning for plea
Tanya Lloyd, 49, of Beechwood, will appear in provincial court on April 7 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an assault charge laid by the RCMP.
Lloyd was charged with assault with a weapon (a walking stick), stemming from an incident on Jan. 5 at Beechwood. She was scheduled to enter a plea on March 17 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Awaiting plea for alleged assault
Josiah McKinnon, 25, of Victoria Corner, will appear in provincial court on March 31 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an assault charge laid by the RCMP.
McKinnon was charged with assault by choking involving a female victim in connection with an incident on Dec. 20, 2025, at Victoria Corner. He was scheduled to enter a plea on March 17 when the matter was adjourned to allow him more time to consult legal counsel.
Trial in April
Bianca Laqua, 35, of Woodstock, will appear for trial in provincial court on April 8 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to one charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Laqua was charged with refusing a breathalyzer in connection with an incident on Sept. 21, 2024, in Woodstock. Her trial was initially scheduled for December but was rescheduled to give her more time to seek legal counsel.
Released with conditions
Timothy Cullins, 49, of Oakland, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on March 17 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear. He was released on conditions and returns to court on April 7 at 9:30 a.m. to set a new trial date.
Cullins pleaded not guilty to possession of three stolen riding lawnmowers owned by the provincial Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, stemming from an incident on Sept. 2, 2025, in Oakland. He failed to return to court on Feb. 17.
Juniper man to stand trial
Brian Spike of Juniper will appear for trial in provincial court on March 31, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by the RCMP.
Spike was charged with pointing a firearm at another man and assault with a weapon (a shotgun) stemming from an incident on Oct. 31, 2024, at Juniper. He was ordered to follow a curfew and have no firearms in his possession as part of his release order.
Defence Counsel Alex Carleton entered a not-guilty plea on his client’s behalf on March 17. A monitoring date was set for Dec. 22 at 1:30 p.m.
Plea on one charge
Zacheriah Warman, 25, of Salisbury, will appear in provincial court on March 31at 9:30 a.m. to answer one charge laid in Woodstock.
Warman was charged with transmitting an intimate image without consent for an incident on July 6, 2024. He was scheduled to enter a plea on March 17 when the matter was adjourned to the new date. The court heard that a resolution is being sought with the Crown.
Facing sex charge
Michael Charles Denny, 33, of Woodstock, will appear for trial in provincial court on April 14, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Denny was charged with sexual assault involving a female victim between Jan. 1 and Feb. 1, 2025, and uttering threats on Feb. 15, 2025, in Woodstock. He entered his not guilty plea during a court appearance on March 17.
Wotstak man charged
Travis Martin, 43, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), will appear for trial in provincial court on March 24, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by the RCMP.
Martin was charged with unlawful entry at a dwelling house and assault, concerning an incident on Nov. 5, 2025, at Richmond Corner. He entered his not guilty plea at a court appearance on March 17. A monitoring date for his trial was booked for Dec. 22 at 1:30 p.m.
Remanded into custody
Janine Marie Cronkhite, 28, of Nackawic, appeared in provincial court in custody via video on March 17 to answer one charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Cronkhite was charged by Woodstock Police with a probation violation after being arrested on a warrant. She requested that the charge be transferred to Fredericton, where she is facing other charges on March 25. A monitoring date was set for June 23 at 9:30 a.m. to confirm the charge has been transferred.
Charged with assault
Amy Rennie, 42, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on April 7 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on an assault charge laid by the RCMP.
Rennie was charged with assaulting a male victim on Jan. 3 in Rosedale. She appeared for plea on March 17 when the matter was adjourned to allow her more time to secure legal counsel.
Trial continues in May
Mitchell Hillman, 36, of Wilmot, appeared for trial in provincial court on March 16 after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by Woodstock Police. After an afternoon of testimony, the trial was adjourned for continuation on May 20 at 1:30 p.m.
Hillman was charged with assault involving a female victim and uttering threats on Sept. 16, 2024, in Woodstock. The Crown withdrew the threat charge, and the trial went ahead regarding the alleged assault.
At an earlier court appearance, Hillman pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving, flight from police and obstruction for an incident on March 13, 2025, in Woodstock. His trial date was set for July 2 at 9:30 a.m.
Three charged with theft
Three individuals have been charged in connection with a string of thefts in the Woodstock area. Two of the accused have transferred their files to Fredericton, where they are facing other charges.
Madison Anderson, 20, of Fredericton, formerly of Plaster Rock, was charged with two counts of theft on Nov. 24, 2025, at the Petro Canada near Meductic. She is also charged in connection with a copper wire theft at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation) on the same date.
Anderson appeared in provincial court on March 18 and returns for plea on April 7 at 1:30 p.m. She is also facing other charges in Edmundston.
Michael Ronald McKee, 25, of Woodstock, appeared in court in custody via video on March 10 and stated he intended to plead guilty to all charges. He requested that his file be transferred to Fredericton, where he is facing other charges. A monitoring hearing was set for April 7 at 9:30 a.m. to confirm the transfer has been completed.
McKee and Bastian Kitchener Bradbury, 19, of Fredericton, were each charged with breaking into a woodworking shop on Searle Street in Woodstock, possession of stolen tools, possession of a stolen vehicle (a Mazda CX5), possession of break-in tools, and prowling at night on Nov. 24, 2025. Bradbury also faces a charge of wearing a mask while committing an offence.
McKee waived his bail until later. He was also charged with possession of a stolen vehicle in connection with an incident on Nov. 5, 2025, at Bedell.
Both men were also charged with theft of copper wire on Nov. 24, 2025, from the back of a truck at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation). The court heard the two are also facing other charges in Fredericton.
Bradbury appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Feb. 5 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions to a rehab facility near Sussex.
On March 10, Bradbury appeared in provincial court via teleconference and requested that all of his files be transferred to Fredericton. A new theft charge was also laid in connection with an incident on Nov. 24, 2025, at the Petro Canada near Meductic. A monitoring hearing was scheduled for April 7 at 9:30 a.m. to confirm that his file transfer has been completed.
Stolen property charges
Jacob Jinson, 26, of Somerville, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on March 10 for plea on a stolen property charge laid by Woodstock Police. He failed to appear, and a warrant was held on file.
Jinson was charged with possession of stolen property (a Husqvarna whipper snipper) on Oct. 30, 2025, in Woodstock.
Another individual, Christopher Mean, 36, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on March 17 on a charge of having a stolen Husqvarna whipper snipper on the same date. He returns to court for plea on March 31 at 9:30 a.m.
Mental health assessment
Daniel Ralph Arch, 50, of Northern Arm, Newfoundland, will appear in provincial court via teleconference on April 16 at 1:30 p.m. for a fitness hearing. He was scheduled for the hearing on March 18, but the court was informed that the mental health assessment had not been completed, so the matter was adjourned.
Arch was charged with dangerous driving causing bodily harm following an accident on March 27, 2024, at Dorrington Hill near Canterbury. He pleaded not guilty, but his trial was postponed to June 22 to allow the accused to complete the mental health assessment.
