LImestone man charged with attempted murder after man beaten with hammer and wrench
Riley Cowper, 19, of Limestone, appeared in provincial court in custody on Aug. 13 in connection with an alleged violent attack on another local man on the weekend.
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 at Jackson Falls.
Cowper was remanded to jail and returns to court in custody for a bail hearing on Aug. 27 at 11 a.m. He was ordered to have no contact with Butler, who police said was treated at the hospital for his injuries and later released.
Cowper showed no emotion while he stood before Associate Chief Judge Brian C. McLean, answering ‘yes sir’ to the judge before being led away by sheriffs in handcuffs and shackles as family members looked on.
Cowper was scheduled for trial on another assault charge on Aug. 14. RCMP charged him with assault with a weapon (a hammer and tire iron) involving another man on March 23, 2022. That trial was adjourned and a new date will be set when he returns to court on Aug. 27.
36 months in federal prison; co-accused’s bail hearing later this month
Ronald McLaughlin, 33, of St. Stephen, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison on Aug. 12 after pleading guilty to five charges laid by RCMP.
McLaughlin appeared in provincial court in custody on Jan. 30. The RCMP charged him with dangerous driving, driving while suspended, and driving without insurance stemming from an incident on Jan. 29 in Grafton. The court heard he was being held in custody on other charges in Saint John.
McLaughlin was also charged with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking in connection with the same incident in Grafton. On May 2, an additional charge was laid for failing to appear in court on March 5. He received 36 months in prison on the drug charge as well as additional jail time for the driving offences and failing to appear.
A co-accused, Erica Ann Trecartin, 28, of Lower Brighton, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 8 after being arrested on a warrant in St. Stephen. Her bail hearing was adjourned until Aug. 22 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of her defence counsel.
RCMP charged Trecartin with failing to appear in court on June 24 and possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking concerning the same incident in Grafton on Jan. 29. The court heard numerous other charges are also pending.
Conditional discharge, probation
Joshua Perley, 19, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), received a conditional discharge and 12 months of probation when he appeared in provincial court for sentencing on Aug. 13. He was also fined $100 and ordered to register with the federal DNA database.
RCMP charged Perley with assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon (a bat), and possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence in connection with an incident on April 28, 2023, at Neqotkuk. He pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm, and the crown withdrew the remaining two charges.
The court heard the assault on another man in the community was committed by three individuals, one being Perley, who had no prior criminal record.
Woodstock man to stand trial
Christopher Hazen Hamilton, 50, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 13 to set a date for his trial after pleading not guilty to 12 charges laid by Woodstock Police. He returns to court for trial on Jan. 8, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Hamilton appeared in custody by video on June 10 and was released from custody with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
He was charged with assault involving a female victim, assault by choking, three counts of uttering threats, assault with a weapon (a broken teacup) and attempting to cause injury and suffering to a dog, concerning incidents between March 1 and May 24 in Woodstock.
Hamilton was also charged with assaulting a female victim, uttering threats and mischief causing property damage on May 25, and assaulting a female victim and assault with a weapon (a cigar) on May 26. The alleged incidents occurred in Woodstock. He spent several days in remand prior to his release.
Trial adjourned to new date
Timothy Grant Davenport, 46, of no fixed address, appeared for trial in provincial court in custody on Aug. 12 to answer nine charges laid by RCMP. The trial was adjourned to Oct. 25 at 1:30 p.m. and Oct. 30 at 9:30a a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Davenport was charged by RCMP with theft of a gun and ammunition, committing mischief by breaking a window, resisting arrest, possession of a prohibited weapon (a loaded sawed-off shotgun), reckless discharge of a firearm, pointing a firearm at another man, possession of a firearm without a licence, possession of ammunition while prohibited, and possession of a firearm while prohibited, in connection with an incident on Nov. 26, 2023, near Lakeville. He appeared in court for a bail hearing on Nov. 29, 2023, and was remanded to jail. He pleaded not guilty to the charges at a court appearance on Feb. 13.
Released with conditions
Zachary Sarchfield, 30, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 13 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Sarchfield was arrested on July 19 for attempting to breach his release order and remanded. He had been out of custody for only four days. He pleaded not guilty to the breach, and his trial date was set for June 30, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP also charged Sarchfield with two counts of unlawful confinement, assault, and possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence concerning an incident on Sept. 11, 2023, in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial will occur on June 30, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. He was also charged with failing to appear in court on Feb. 20 when an arrest warrant was issued.
Awaiting bail hearing
Jacob Alexander Roy, 26, of Windsor, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 12 for a bail hearing on drug and weapon charges laid by Woodstock Police. The bail hearing was adjourned and a new date will be set on Aug. 19 when he appears for trial on other matters.
Roy was charged with possession of methamphetamine and cocaine, both for the purpose of trafficking, breach of a release order, possession of a prohibited weapon (brass knuckles), and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace in connection with an incident in Woodstock on Aug. 3. No plea has yet been entered.
Roy is scheduled to appear for trial in provincial court on Aug. 19 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to four other charges. The RCMP charged him with breaching a release order on Jan. 7.
In November, Roy was charged with breach of a no-contact order for an incident on Oct. 20, 2023, in Woodstock. RCMP also charged him with assault involving a female victim and unlawful confinement concerning an incident on Sept. 11, 2023, in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty.
Canterbury woman returning for plea
Jessica Lynn Ouellet, 35, of Canterbury, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 13 for plea on a breach charge. The matter was adjourned to Sept. 10 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of her defence counsel.
Ouellet appeared in provincial court in custody on July 16 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. On July 15, the RCMP charged her with breaching a no-contact order at Canterbury.
Ouellet also appeared in provincial court on Feb. 27 and pleaded not guilty to other charges laid by RCMP. Her trial date is set for Feb. 12, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
She was charged with committing mischief causing property damage to a car, a truck, and a mailbox, concerning an incident on July 9, 2023, in Bloomfield. She was also charged with uttering threats for the same incident.
Not-guilty plea entered
Tanna Wright of Perth-Andover will appear for trial in provincial court on July 10, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to three charges laid by RCMP.
Wright was charged with assault with a weapon (knives and a bat) and two counts of uttering threats stemming from an incident on Dec. 16, 2023, at Greenfield.
She appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 17. She was arrested on a warrant after failing to appear in provincial court for a plea in April. She spent the weekend in jail and was released with conditions.
Trial set for Perth-Andover man
Todd Clay Dufour, 34, of Perth-Andover, will appear for trial in provincial court on June 27, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to one charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Dufour was charged with failing to report his whereabouts to the national sex offender registry on Aug. 1, 2023. He entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on Aug. 13.
Trial adjourned due to health issues
Tusha Mae Sawyer, 45, of Carlingford, was scheduled to appear for trial in provincial court on Aug. 12 after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by RCMP. The trial was adjourned until Dec. 13 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of her defence counsel.
Sawyer was charged with aggravated assault against another woman and indictable breach of probation in connection with an incident on July 29, 2023, at Gladwyn. The court heard she was dealing with health issues, so her trial was adjourned to the new date. A warrant will be kept on file until her next court appearance.
Wotstak man to stand trial
James Thomas Fowler, 52, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Aug. 13 for monitoring about his trial. The court heard he still needed to secure legal counsel. He returns to court for further monitoring on Sept. 10 at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged Fowler with criminal harassment through repeated communication concerning an incident on Sept. 19, 2023, at Wotstak. He appeared in court in custody and was released with conditions.
Fowler pleaded not guilty at a court appearance on March 12, and his trial date was set for Feb. 10, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
Caught with counterfeit money
Mason Jacob Sullivan, 25, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Aug. 27 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on one charge laid by Woodstock Police. He appeared in court on Aug. 13 when the matter was adjourned to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Sullivan was charged with using counterfeit money in connection with an incident on Jan. 16 in Woodstock. The charge alleges two $100 bills and one $20 bill were passed as if they were genuine.
Other counterfeit charges
Tyler Depow, 34, of Moncton, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Aug. 13 to answer two charges of using counterfeit money.
Depow was charged by the RCMP in connection with an incident on Aug. 21, 2023, in Perth-Andover.
On Tuesday, he told the court he was awaiting sentencing in Moncton on Aug. 29 on other matters and wanted his charges in Woodstock transferred to that jurisdiction. To facilitate the transfer, the matter was set over for plea until Sept. 10 at 11 a.m.
Plaster Rock woman returning for plea
Makayla Marie Shaw, 26, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 13 to answer three charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Sept. 3 at 9:30 a.m.
Shaw appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 15 and was released with conditions. The RCMP charged her with causing a disturbance, mischief, and breach of a peace bond for an incident on July 10 at Anderson Road.
Several other theft and fraud charges laid by Woodstock Police were moved to the alternative measures program, which the court heard Shaw completed successfully.
Grand Falls woman has new charge
Sasha Perley, 28, of Grand Falls, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 10 at 1:30 p.m. to answer one charge laid by RCMP.
Perley was charged with possessing a stolen vehicle concerning an incident on July 25, 2023, at Craig’s Flat in Victoria County. She appeared in provincial court on Aug. 13 when the matter was adjourned for plea to the new date.
At a previous court appearance, she was also charged with possession of another stolen vehicle (a Toyota Tundra) for a separate incident on Aug. 4, 2023, near Tobique Narrows. She pleaded not guilty, and her trial date was set for Oct. 23 at 1:30 p.m.
A co-accused, Michael Langlois-Martell, 33, of Grand Falls, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 2 for monitoring about his upcoming trial on the same matter.
Langlois-Martell was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle (a Toyota Tundra), possession of a firearm without a licence (a pump action shotgun), storage of a firearm in a careless manner, and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace for an incident on Aug. 4, 2023, near Tobique Narrows. His trial date was set for Oct. 11 at 1:30 p.m. He pleaded not guilty on Jan. 23.
Arrested on a warrant
Ryan Troy O’Donnell, 27, of Johnville, was arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court on June 25. The court heard he allegedly removed his ankle bracelet a few days after being released from jail.
O’Donnell appeared in court in custody on Aug. 12 and was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on Aug. 21 at 11 a.m.
He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 12 for bail hearing. After spending several months in custody, he was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was ordered to follow a curfew and reside at a Woodstock residence.
O’Donnell was scheduled to return for plea on June 25 at 9:30 a.m. on two charges of possession of stolen property (cheques) on Dec. 16, 2023, in Beechwood and mischief causing property damage on Feb. 15. The RCMP laid the charges. The court heard he was also facing other charges in Edmundston and Moncton.
On April 11, he was in custody by video to answer a sex charge laid by RCMP. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for June 26 at 9:30 a.m. He was charged with sexual assault in connection with an incident in Beechwood between Sept. 1 and Sept. 30, 2021.
O’Donnell appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 23 for a bail hearing and waived his bail until later. On Feb. 15, the RCMP charged him with breaching a release order and held him in custody.
He also appeared in provincial court in custody on Jan. 24 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle, but was brought back into custody.
O’Donnell was charged by RCMP with assault involving a female victim, uttering threats, and breach of probation concerning an incident on Jan. 25 near Johnville.
He has a prior criminal record.
In custody awaiting plea
Brandon Michael Francis, 28, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 13 to answer charges laid by the RCMP. He waived his bail until later and returned to court for a plea on Aug. 27 at 11 a.m.
RCMP charged Francis with four counts of committing mischief causing property damage, breach of probation, assault involving a female victim, uttering threats, and willfully causing injury to a dog by kicking it. The charges were laid in connection with July 17 and July 19 incidents at Neqotkuk. He appeared in court in custody on July 23 and was remanded.
Woodstock man has new charges
Corey Andrew Lane, 39, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 13 to answer new charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until Aug. 27 at 11 a.m. A date for his bail hearing will also be set at that time.
Lane was charged with prowling at night near a dwelling house on Main Street in Woodstock and breach of probation on May 28.
RCMP also charged him with uttering threats, mischief causing property damage to a vehicle, and breach of a no-contact order following an incident on July 18 at Jackson Falls.
Lane was also charged with assault involving a female victim, uttering threats and breach of a no-contact order for another incident on July 15. He appeared in court in custody on July 23 and waived his bail until later.
He also appeared in provincial court on May 21 and pleaded not guilty to other separate charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for June 9, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Lane was charged with assault involving a female victim on Jan. 1 at Newbridge and breach of a no-contact order on Feb. 7 at Newbridge. He was also charged with failing to appear in court on March 5 and March 14, breaching an undertaking by violating a no-contact order on Feb. 7 at Newbridge and breaching a release order on April 23 at Woodstock. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant.
Plea date rescheduled
Braxton Denny, 24, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Aug. 13 for plea on a breach charge laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned until Sept. 3 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to seek legal counsel.
Denny appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 17 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
He was arrested on June 12 and charged with breaching a release order by failing to abstain from drugs between June 6 and June 7 in Woodstock.
He also appeared in provincial court on Jan. 16 to answer other charges for different alleged events. He pleaded not guilty on all counts.
Denny was charged with possession of stolen property on July 23, 2023; flight from police on July 22, 2023, and two counts of failing to appear in court on Oct. 17 and Oct. 24, 2023. A trial date was set for Dec. 11 at 9:30 a.m.
He was also charged with breaking into a dwelling house and committing mischief concerning an incident on Feb. 18, 2023, in Woodstock; committing mischief causing property damage and breach of an undertaking on Dec. 9, 2022, at Upper Woodstock; and two counts of assault and committing mischief causing property damage on Dec. 8, 2022, at Upper Woodstock. A trial date was set for Sept. 25 at 9:30 a.m.
Resolution still sought for Armour
Brandon Cecil Armour, 34, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court in custody on Aug. 13 for monitoring about his upcoming trial on charges laid by the RCMP. At the request of his defence counsel, the matter was adjourned until Sept. 5 at 9:30 a.m.
Armour is also scheduled to appear for sentencing on Sept. 5 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading guilty to two charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Woodstock Police charged Armour with prowling at night and resisting arrest concerning an incident on March 24, 2023, in Woodstock. He pleaded guilty on May 1.
The court heard that a resolution on other matters set for trial in September may be forthcoming. Armour waived his bail until later.
He was also charged with breach of an undertaking, failing to attend court on July 11, 2023, and theft of a vehicle and resisting arrest on Aug. 14, 2023. He pleaded not guilty at an earlier court appearance, and a trial date was set for Sept. 5 at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP also charged Armour with breaching a release order following incidents on Jan. 7 and Feb. 6 near Johnville. He appeared in court in custody on Feb. 9 for a bail hearing and waived his bail until later. On March 13, he pleaded not guilty to two counts of breaching his release his release order and a trial date was set for Sept. 5 at 9:30 a.m.
Armour appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 11 and was sentenced to one year in jail, minus time served, after pleading guilty to another charge. He was also placed on probation for 12 months.
Armour was charged by RCMP with breaking into 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 Beechwood. He pleaded guilty to breaking into the dwelling, and the crown withdrew the two remaining charges.
Armour appeared in court in custody on Aug. 15, 2023, after being arrested on a warrant. He appeared on Sept. 28, 2023, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions but was brought back into custody.
