- Trial delayed for co-accused in kidnapping case
Timothy Grant, 30, of Canterbury, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 6 for his two-day trial on charges related to the alleged kidnapping of a Scotts Siding man.
After hearing submissions from the crown and defence counsel, Associate Chief Judge Brian C. McLean adjourned the trial until Feb. 29 and March 1, 2024.
Crown Prosecutor Gwynne Hearn and Defence Counsel Michael Mallory made a joint recommendation to have the trial adjourned to a later date due to an additional disclosure of evidence. Hearn told the court the information was currently in the hands of the police and would be reviewed by the crown before trial.
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.
The rescheduling of Grant’s trial delays those proceedings until after the December trial of Rodney Butler, 49, of Bulls Creek. Butler sat in the back of the courtroom during Grant’s court appearance on Sept. 6.
Butler appeared in provincial court on Sept. 5 and confirmed he secured a new lawyer for his trial involving the same 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 was called 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, the police erected tape around the property, including a residence surrounded by a vehicle salvage yard.
- Charge laid after shots fired
Jerry Inman, 68, of Kincardine, will appear in provincial court on Oct. 3 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on a firearm charge laid by RCMP.
Inman was charged with intentionally discharging a firearm into or at a place, knowing another person was present in connection with an incident on April 27 in Kincardine. He made his first court appearance on Sept. 5 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
- Woodstock woman to stand trial
Jessie Jeanette Sharp-Yerxa, 27, of Woodstock, will appear for trial in provincial court on June 19, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to one charge laid by the Woodstock Police Force.
Sharp-Yerxa was charged with possession of stolen property (a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt) concerning an incident on April 11 in Woodstock. She made her first court appearance Sept. 5 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
- Sentenced to 70 days or time served
Dean Randall Bell, 43, of McAdam, appeared in provincial court in custody on Sept. 7 and was sentenced to 70 days in jail or time served after pleading guilty to three charges laid by RCMP.
RCMP charged Bell with possession of stolen property (a 2010 Ford halfton) and breach of probation for an incident on March 17, 2021, in Benton. He was also charged with failing to appear in court on April 18. The crown withdrew another charge of failing to appear in court on Aug. 15.
The court heard that police recently took Bell into custody and transferred him to hospital for treatment of an infected dog bite. He was released while at the hospital and failed to attend court due to lack of transportation.
Bell was also facing charges in Fredericton. He was released from custody after hearing his sentence in Woodstock on Sept. 7.
- In custody awaiting plea
Amber Holt, 32, of Bluebell, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 7 for a bail hearing and waived her bail until later. She was remanded and will return to court in custody for plea on Sept. 28 at 9:30 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.
- In custody awaiting plea
Brandon Cecil Armour, 34, of no fixed address, will appear in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 19 for plea on charges laid by Woodstock Police.
He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept.6 for a bail hearing and waived his bail until later. A date for his bail hearing is expected to be set at his next court appearance on Sept. 19.
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.
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.
Police charged Armour 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.
- Arrested and released with conditions
Brady Melvin Crain, 27, of Wicklow, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 6 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He returns to court for plea on Sept. 26 at 9:30 a.m.
Crain appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 28 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear for sentencing.
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.
