Two charged with kidnapping, firearm offences in Pembroke incident
Jeffrey Richard Bull, 44, of Newburg, and Ryan Michael Fitzherbert, 28, of Woodstock, were each charged with kidnapping, unlawful confinement, and multiple firearm offences when they appeared in provincial court in custody this week for their bail hearings.
Bull faces 14 charges, while Fitzherbert faces seven. RCMP arrested them following an incident involving a female victim on Oct. 15 in Pembroke.
Bull was charged with kidnapping, unlawful confinement, pointing a firearm at another person, assault while threatening to use a weapon, possession of a firearm (a shotgun) for the purpose of committing an offence, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a licence, possession of a firearm while prohibited, flight from police, dangerous driving, resisting arrest, careless use of a firearm, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm, and breach of probation.
On Oct. 20, Bull appeared in court in custody by video and waived his bail hearing until Nov. 6 at 9:30 a.m. He was remanded and ordered to have no contact with the complainant or his co-accused.
Bull told Judge Cameron Gunn the alleged victim in the case was “making a fool of the justice system” while he was being held behind bars.
Fitzherbert was charged with kidnapping while using a firearm, unlawful confinement, possession of a firearm without a licence, unauthorized possession of a firearm, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm, breach of probation, and breach of a release order.
Fitzherbert appeared in custody by video for his bail hearing on Oct. 20 and was released with strict conditions. He returns to court for plea on Nov. 7 at 9:30 a.m.
Bull was recently released from jail after completing a one-year sentence minus time served. He pleaded guilty to 12 charges related to a drug-fuelled crime spree he conducted while in the company of a female co-accused half his age.
Fitzherbert is scheduled to appear for trial in provincial court on June 17, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to other separate charges.
The RCMP charged Fitzherbert with improper storage of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a licence, and possession of a prohibited weapon (a switchblade knife) in connection with an incident on Dec. 10, 2021, in Jacksonville. He will also stand trial at the Court of King’s Bench on April 15-17, 2024, on drug trafficking charges.
Arrested and held for bail hearing
Lucas Green, 19, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody on Oct. 19 and was remanded to jail. He returns to court on Oct. 23 at 1:30 p.m. in custody for a bail hearing by video in Fredericton.
RCMP charged Green with assaulting another man and committing mischief, causing property damage to a vehicle in connection with an incident on Oct. 19 at Richmond Corner.
Two-day trial underway in neighbour dispute
Laura Lee Boehler, 64, of Richmond Corner, appeared in provincial court for her two-day trial on Oct. 19-20 and represented herself during part of the proceedings about an ongoing dispute with her neighbours.
The trial was still underway late into Friday afternoon, with Judge Lucie M. Mathurin presiding. Boehler’s neighbours testified during the first day of the trial with a defence lawyer appointed to assist her with cross-examination.
Evidence presented by the crown also included video surveillance footage surrounding her neighbours’ property. The second day of the trial included testimony from police officers involved in the investigation.
Judge Mathurin warned both parties to stick to the facts of the case, explaining she was interested in the evidence, not the history of the dispute.
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 breach of 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.
Perth-Andover brothers facing charges
Travis Terrance McDougall, 32, and Trevor Gerald McDougall, 32, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 17 to answer charges laid by Woodstock Police.
Travis McDougall was charged with uttering threats, breach of probation and assaulting a female victim in connection with an incident on July 17 in Woodstock. He returns to court for plea on Nov. 14 at 9:30 a.m.
Trevor McDougall was charged with uttering threats for the same incident. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for Aug. 2, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. A monitoring date was also set for April 16, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
Returning for plea on assault charge
Douglas Thomas Defazio, 35, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 14 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on one charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Defazio was charged with assault involving a female victim concerning an incident on Sept. 21 in Woodstock. He made his first court appearance on Oct. 17.
In custody awaiting plea
Christian Mario Albert, 37, of Grand Falls, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 7 at 1:15 p.m. for plea on two charges laid by RCMP.
Albert was charged with break and enter at the Save Easy in Plaster Rock and breach of curfew following an incident on Sept. 10. He appeared in court in custody on Oct. 17 by video. The court heard he was being held in custody on other matters.
Sentencing set on multiple charges
Jesse Adam Shaw, 32, of Woodstock, appeared for trial in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 20 and changed his plea to guilty on several charges laid by Woodstock Police. A sentencing date was set for Nov. 14 at 1:30 p.m.
Shaw pleaded guilty to indictable assault involving a female victim between May 1 and May 8 in Woodstock; guilty to two counts of assault on June 11 and June 14 in Woodstock; guilty to uttering threats on June 14 in Woodstock; guilty to assault by choking between June 24 and June 25 in Woodstock; guilty to mischief causing property damage to a cell phone between April 20 and May 8 in Woodstock; and guilty to breach of a no-contact order between June 24 and June 25 in Woodstock. The crown withdrew several other charges.
Shaw was arrested and remanded to jail on June 26. He waived his bail until later.
He appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on June 19 and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was scheduled to return to court for plea on July 11 but was brought back into custody.
Sentencing adjourned to new date for Neqotkuk man
Brandon Michael Francis, 27, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear in provincial court in custody for sentencing on Nov. 16 at 9:30 a.m.
Francis pleaded guilty to three counts of breach of a release order and committing mischief in connection with incidents at Neqotkuk. On Oct. 19, his sentencing was adjourned to the new date following his trial on two separate matters.
RCMP charged Francis with assault with a weapon (a metal bar) involving a male victim following an incident on Oct. 27, 2022, at Neqotkuk. Associate Chief Judge Brian C. McLean reserved his decision after trial. A verdict is expected to be delivered on Nov. 14 at 1:30 p.m.
The court heard testimony from the alleged victim, who testified Francis came to his door, jumped on him, punched him, and left him lying on the floor. He was treated at the hospital for a broken nose and bruises to his face. The man said he did not recall being hit with a metal bar. A police officer also testified no metal bar was found at the scene.
Crown Prosecutor Geoff Hutchin requested the court consider finding Francis guilty of the lesser included offence of common assault. Defence Counsel Timothy Dubé said his client should be acquitted due to lack of evidence.
Francis was found not guilty after trial on another charge of breach of a release order related to an incident on April 20 at Neqotkuk. Before his arrest, Francis was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He appeared in court again in custody and was denied bail.
RCMP also charged him with assault while threatening to use a weapon, unlawful entry at a dwelling house, and pointing a firearm. He returns to court for trial on those matters on Nov. 16 at 9:30 a.m.
Change of plea for church break-in
Mitchell Sutthery, 36, of Arthurette, appeared for trial in provincial court in custody on Oct. 20 and changed his plea to guilty on multiple charges laid by RCMP, including breaking into a local church. He returns to court for sentencing on Nov. 21 at 1:30 p.m.
Sutthery pleaded guilty to breaking and entering at the St-Helen Anglican Church and damaging the church door on March 25 in Arthurette, guilty to assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and assaulting an on-duty police dog also on March 25.
He also pleaded guilty to breaking and entering a dwelling house on April 26 in Perth-Andover; and guilty to breach of a release order by cutting off his ankle bracelet on May 18 in Perth-Andover. The crown withdrew several other charges.
Sutthery appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 24 after being arrested on a warrant. On May 1, he appeared in court in custody for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was arrested soon after and taken back into custody. On May 26, he waived his bail until a later date.
Agreed to peace bond
Tristan Mathias Kelleter, 25, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 20 for plea on two charges laid by Woodstock Police. He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond, and the charges did not proceed.
Kelleter was charged with two counts of uttering threats involving a female victim concerning an incident on May 27 near Jacksonville. Under the peace bond, he must have no contact with the complainant.
Trial adjourned for Benton man
Edward Hayes Jr., 27, of Benton, appeared for trial in provincial court on Oct. 19 after pleading not guilty to 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.
Defence Counsel Alex Carleton told Judge Sebastian Michaud he needed more time to prepare for the trial. Crown Prosecutor Matthew Paik agreed to the request.
Hayes was charged by RCMP with sexual assault and unlawful confinement involving a female victim between May 18 and June 13, 2022, in Summerfield. The complainant in the case was present in court on Oct. 19 and was advised of the trial delay.
Hayes was also scheduled to be sentenced on a mischief charge related to a separate incident on June 17, 2022, in Woodstock, when a holding cell was damaged. He pleaded guilty. His sentencing for this offence was adjourned until Nov. 21 at 1:30 p.m.
Held for bail hearing
Adam James Finnamore, 28, of Moncton, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 20 to set a date for his bail. His bail hearing will be held on Nov. 1 at 1:30 p.m.
Finnamore appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 13 after being arrested on a warrant. The court heard he is also facing charges in Moncton.
Finnamore was charged with assault causing bodily harm to another man in relation to an incident on May 6, 2022, at Upper Kent. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for Oct. 12 when he failed to appear.
Trial scheduled on assault, weapons charges
Brandon Schriver, 21, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 18 to answer assault and firearm charges laid by RCMP. He pleaded not guilty on all counts, and a trial date was set for Nov. 24 at 9:30 a.m.
Schriver appeared in provincial court in custody on Sept. 1 for a bail hearing and was remanded to jail. RCMP charged him with assaulting another man, assault with a weapon, possession of a firearm without a licence (a pump action shotgun), possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, impaired driving, possession of a firearm while prohibited, possession of ammunition while prohibited, and breach of probation following an incident on Aug. 30 at Craig’s Flat in Victoria County.
The court heard Schriver was a parolee from federal prison. He was sentenced to two years in prison in January 2022 for a series of thefts across Victoria County.
Awaiting plea on 14 charges
Philip Sapper-Solomon, 30, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody on Oct. 19 to answer 14 charges laid by RCMP. He waived his bail until later and returns to court in custody for plea on Oct. 31 at 10:45 a.m.
Sappier-Solomon was arrested in connection with an incident on Sept. 17 near Beechwood. He was charged with possession of a restricted weapon (a handgun) while prohibited; possession of ammunition while prohibited; possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence; two counts of possession of a restricted weapon without a licence; being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm; possession of a loaded, restricted firearm (a handgun); assault and assault by choking involving a female victim; assault with a weapon (a cell phone); two counts of uttering threats; committing mischief causing property damage to a phone and tires, and mischief causing damage to a police vehicle.
Sentencing set for Carlow woman
Shawna Schriver of Carlow appeared for trial in provincial court on Oct. 18 and changed her plea to guilty on two charges laid by RCMP. A sentencing date was set for Nov. 28 at 1:30 p.m.
Schriver was charged with breaking and entering and resisting arrest in connection with an incident at a vacant residence in Upper Kintore on May 25, 2022. She pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of committing mischief, causing property damage and resisting arrest.
A co-accused, Timothy Canam, 43, of Carlow, was sentenced to 13 months in jail, minus time served, when he appeared in provincial court in custody on Oct. 6, 2022. He was charged with break, enter, and theft in connection with the same incident. He pleaded guilty to the offence.
After his arrest, Canam was denied bail and remanded into custody at provincial jail.
New date for trial verdict
Robert Dale McMann, 47, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 18 to hear a new date for a verdict on his trial will be held on Nov. 28 at 1:30 p.m.
McMann appeared in provincial court for the continuation of his trial on Sept. 25 after pleading not guilty to charges laid by Woodstock Police. The decision was reserved until Nov. 2 but then adjourned to the new date.
McMann pleaded not guilty to unlawful confinement, uttering threats, and assaulting a female victim by choking and attempting to strangle and suffocate her during an alleged Sept. 9, 2021, incident in Woodstock. Woodstock Police laid the charges.
He was also charged with possession of stolen property (an SD card and batteries) owned by Cook Construction Ltd. following an incident on Dec. 22, 2021, in Woodstock. He is also facing another charge of breaching a no-contact order. He pleaded not guilty. He will stand trial on those charges on April 24, 2024, at 1:30 p.m.
In custody awaiting plea
Steven Frank Powers, 60, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody on Oct. 18 for his bail hearing. He waived his bail until later and returns to court for plea on Nov. 2 at 1:30 p.m.
