Not guilty of assault
A Wotstak man was found not guilty of assault after his trial over a physical confrontation with two youths at the AYR Motor Centre in Woodstock last year.
Takoda Louis Lee Christian, 20, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody for a verdict on Sept. 28.
Judge Henrik Tonning ruled Christian acted in self-defence and used force necessary to protect himself from being attacked by two youths, aged 16 and 14, who were larger in stature than the accused. The judge said the youths instigated the incident in the gym at the AYR Motor Centre and then followed Christian into a stairwell where a fight broke out.
“There was significant animosity at play,” Judge Tonning stated. “Mr. Christian honestly and reasonably felt threatened.”
Christian pleaded not guilty to assault causing bodily harm, mischief, and uttering threats concerning the incident on March 25, 2025. Police said a 16-year-old victim suffered significant injuries in the incident and was transported to the Upper River Valley Hospital for treatment.
During final submissions, Defence Counsel Wanda Severns argued self-defence, explaining Christian was targeted with racial slurs from the two youths in the gym and a violent altercation ensued in the nearby stairwell. She said he did not know the boys or that they were minors. Christian was 19 at the time.
“They were looking for trouble and targeted Mr. Christian,” Severns told the court. “He tried to walk away. He believed they were going to jump him and he reacted.”
The court heard the two youths followed Christian out of the gym and down a flight of stairs. He asked them, “What’s your problem?” Near the bottom of the stairwell, one youth pushed him. Christian retaliated by punching the youth and kicking him as he fell to the ground. The 16-year-old suffered a broken nose, a black eye, and a concussion.
“Have you got anything for me?” Christian asked the other youth, who answered no. Christian then left the scene.
Crown Prosecutor Sean Corscadden agreed that the two youths expected a confrontation when they went down the stairs behind Christian. The Crown lawyer said the question was whether the accused used reasonable or excessive force. Christian denied stomping the injured youth on the head after kicking him on the ground. No weapons were involved.
At another court appearance, Christian pleaded not guilty to four other charges laid by the RCMP. His trial dates were reset for Nov. 12 at 1:30 p.m. and Dec. 7 at 9:30 a.m. A pre-trial conference will be held on Oct. 27.
Christian was charged with uttering threats, committing mischief, and two counts of breaching a release order stemming from an incident on June 28.
Christian appeared in provincial court in custody on July 6 and changed his plea to guilty on other separate charges laid by the RCMP.
Christian was 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, 2025, in Lansdowne. He pleaded guilty to the threat charge, and the Crown withdrew the remaining two charges.
He also pleaded guilty to breach of a release order (no contact) for another incident on May 9-10, 2025, at Wotstak. Christian was also charged with breach of a no-contact order on April 14, 2025, in Wotstak. He pleaded guilty, and a sentencing date will be set after his trial matters conclude. He remains in custody.
249 days or time served
Curtis Brent Hatheway, 46, of Woodstock, appeared for trial in provincial court in custody on Sept. 28 and changed his plea to guilty to three charges laid by Woodstock Police. He was sentenced to 249 days in jail or time served and was released.
Hatheway was denied bail on April 17. He was charged with breaching a no-contact order involving a female victim and breach of probation on April 15 in Woodstock; breaching a release order (no contact) involving a female victim for an incident on April 1 in Woodstock; and breaching a court order, assault, and uttering threats on March 17.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching a no-contact order and one count of breach of probation. The Crown withdrew the remaining charges.
Trial in attempted murder case
A Saint John man appeared in provincial court in custody via video on Sept. 29 to answer charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault.
Gawayne Green, 34, was charged with attempted murder by stabbing another man several times with a knife and committing aggravated assault on July 10 in Centreville. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial dates were set for Dec. 11, Dec. 14 and Dec. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
The court denied Green bail and ordered no contact with several complainants named in the case. A pre-trial conference will be held on Nov. 2 at 9:30 a.m.
Denied bail and remanded
Kenneth Lake, 39, of Lansdowne, will appear in provincial court in custody via video on Oct. 13 at 9:30 a.m. to enter a plea to charges laid by the RCMP. The court denied him bail on Sept. 24 and remanded him.
RCMP charged Lake with assaulting another man and breaching his release order in connection with an incident on Sept. 14 at Stickney. The court ordered him to stay away from the complainant.
Lake also appeared in provincial court on Feb. 24 and pleaded not guilty to two other charges the RCMP laid. His trial date was set for Feb. 3, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. On Sept. 28, the court heard that the trial date needed to be moved up because Lake was back in custody.
Lake appeared in custody via video for a bail hearing on Feb. 5 and was released with conditions. He was charged with breaching a no-contact order on Feb. 2 in Lansdowne and assaulting a female victim on Nov. 28, 2025, in Lansdowne.
In custody in Ontario
Daniel Jr. Constandinides, 20, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Sept. 28 and changed his plea to guilty to two charges laid by the RCMP. The court sentenced him to 12 months of probation. The court heard he was currently in custody in Ontario. He had no prior criminal record.
Constandinides pleaded guilty to breaching an undertaking and obstructing police in connection with an incident on March 23, 2025, in Perth-Andover. The Crown withdrew several other charges.
Sentencing on four charges
Tanna Wright, 29, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 29 and changed her plea to guilty to four charges laid by the RCMP. Her sentencing date was set for Jan. 12, 2027, at 1:30 p.m.
Wright pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, and committing mischief causing property damage in connection with an incident on April 4 in Windsor. The Crown withdrew two other charges.
She appeared in provincial court by video while in custody on May 29 for a bail hearing and was released on conditions.
Charges withdrawn
The Crown withdrew all charges laid against Cole Gordon Chenoweth, 43, of Teeds Mill, when he appeared in provincial court on Sept. 29.
Chenoweth was charged with refusing a breathalyzer, impaired driving, resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer on Aug. 2, 2025, in Woodstock.
He pleaded not guilty, and the matter was set for trial, but the Crown decided not to proceed.
Held for bail hearing
Robert McFarlane, 39, of Florenceville-Bristol, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Sept. 28 after being arrested on charges laid by the RCMP. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on Oct. 1 at 9:30 a.m.
McFarlane was charged with assaulting another man, uttering threats and breaching a release order (house arrest) following an incident on Sept. 27 in Summerfield. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant.
He is also awaiting trial on other charges of assaulting another man on April 4, 2024, at Florenceville-Bristol, and breaking into a dwelling house, committing mischief, causing property damage to a door, and breaching an undertaking on May 4, 2024, in Johnville. He pleaded not guilty.
Two trials scheduled
Colton James VanHorne, 28, of Hartley Settlement, will appear for trial in provincial court on Sept. 15, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to three charges laid by RCMP.
VanHorne was charged with two counts of assault involving a female victim, and mischief causing property damage in connection with incidents on March 2 and July 22 in Hartley Settlement. A pre-trial conference will be held on June 8 at 1:30 p.m.
He appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Sept. 11 after being arrested on a warrant. He was released on a $300 bond with conditions and ordered to reside at a residence in Simonds under a curfew. He must have no contact with the complainants.
VanHorne will also appear for trial in provincial court on March 1 and March 10, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to other charges.
VanHorne was charged by the RCMP with assault causing bodily harm to a female victim on May 30, 2025, at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation). Woodstock Police also charged him with impaired driving on June 22, 2025, in Woodstock.
Green Road incident
Krystal Davenport, 31, of Green Road, will appear for trial in provincial court on Sept. 13, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to an assault charge laid by the RCMP.
Davenport was charged with assault with a weapon (a board) following an incident on April 11 on Green Road. She entered her not-guilty plea on Sept. 29 and a pre-trial conference was booked for June 8 at 1:30 p.m. A monitoring hearing will be held on Oct. 20 at 1:30 p.m.
Sentencing for mischief
Sheena Ross, 37, of Richmond Settlement, appeared for trial in provincial court on Sept. 28 and changed her plea to guilty on a mischief charge laid by RCMP. Her sentencing date was set for Jan. 5, 2027, at 1:30 p.m.
Ross was charged with assaulting another woman, uttering threats, and committing mischief concerning an incident on Feb. 11, 2025, at Perth-Andover. She pleaded guilty to the mischief charge, and the Crown withdrew the remaining two charges.
Charged with impaired
Aubrey Corey, 65, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Oct. 26 at 9:30 a.m. to enter a plea on an impaired driving charge laid by Woodstock Police. He was scheduled to enter a plea on Sept. 29 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel.
Corey also appeared in provincial court on April 7 and pleaded not guilty to another impaired driving charge. His trial was scheduled for June 16, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. Woodstock Police charged him in connection with an incident on Aug. 17, 2025, in Woodstock.
Assault charge withdrawn
The Crown withdrew an assault charge laid against Tanya Lloyd, 49, of Beechwood.
RCMP charged Lloyd with assault with a weapon (a walking stick), stemming from an incident on Jan. 5 at Beechwood. She pleaded not guilty, and her trial was set for next April. The Crown withdrew the charge in provincial court on Sept. 29.
Trial set in assault case
Steven Derek Trecartin, 47, of East Brighton, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 28 and pleaded not guilty to four charges laid by Woodstock Police. His trial was booked for July 26, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Trecartin appeared in provincial court in custody on July 23 after being arrested. He was charged with assault by choking, two counts of uttering threats and committing mischief in connection with an incident in Woodstock. He was released on conditions.
Charge withdrawn
Tristan Alexander Calhoun, 38, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 29 after pleading not guilty to one charge laid by Woodstock Police. The Crown withdrew the charge and his trial was cancelled.
Calhoun was charged with breaching a no-contact order, and his trial was scheduled for next May, but the Crown decided not to proceed.
Not-guilty pleas
Jordan Hill, 21, of Greenfield, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 29 and pleaded not guilty to two sets of charges laid by the RCMP. His trial dates will be set at his next appearance on Oct. 13 at 9:30 a.m.
Hill appeared in provincial court via video in custody on April 9 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was charged with two counts of uttering threats, breach of a no-contact order, committing arson at a residence and resisting arrest in connection with an incident on April 1 at Greenfield.
He also appeared in provincial court via teleconference in custody on March 13 on other charges and was released with conditions.
RCMP charged Hill with assaulting a woman between Feb. 15 and March 12; assaulting the same woman, breaching a no-contact order, and taking a vehicle without consent on March 12 in Greenfield.
Hill was also charged with assault, assault with a weapon (a ruler), breaking into a dwelling house, and committing mischief stemming from an incident on March 13, 2025, in Juniper. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial on those charges was scheduled for Jan. 21, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Warrant on file
Reece Douglas Clowater, 36, of Woodstock, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on Sept. 29 to enter a plea on an impaired driving charge laid by Woodstock Police. He failed to appear in court, and a warrant was held on file.
Clowater was charged in connection with an incident in Woodstock on May 1.
Agreed to peace bond
Nicholas Hallett, 40, of Hartford, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 29 to enter a plea to a charge laid by the RCMP.
Hallett was charged with breaching a no-contact order on Aug. 17 in Somerville. He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond, and the charge did not proceed. The peace bond will result in the charge being withdrawn.
Facing sex charges
Lyle Tibbets, 53, of Florenceville-Bristol, will appear in provincial court on Oct. 20 at 9:30 a.m. for a plea on sex charges laid by the RCMP.
Tibbets was charged with touching a minor for a sexual purpose and invitation to sexual touching between June 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, at Mount Pleasant. He was also charged with sexual assault and touching a minor for a sexual purpose between June 30, 2024, and Nov. 7, 2025, at Mount Pleasant. He was scheduled for a plea on Sept. 29, but the matter was adjourned to allow him more time to consult legal counsel.
Committed to trial
Jessie Ginson, 36, of Bull Lake, was committed to stand trial following his preliminary hearing in provincial court on Sept. 18.
Ginson appeared in provincial court in custody on Jan. 6 on charges of breaking and entering into a dwelling house and robbery in connection with an incident on Jan. 3 in Windsor. He pleaded not guilty and was released with conditions.
A monitoring hearing will be held on Oct. 6 at 9:30 a.m. Ginson elected trial by judge and jury at the Court of King’s Bench.
Refusing a breathalyzer
Lindsay Harris, 22, of Waterville, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 15 at 1:30 p.m. to continue her trial on a breathalyzer charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Harris pleaded not guilty to refusing a breathalyzer in connection with an incident on Dec. 29, 2024, in Lower Woodstock. The second segment of her trial was held on Sept. 21.
Beechwood woman awaits verdict
Courtney Demerchant, 28, of Beechwood, will appear in provincial court on Oct. 1 at 2:30 p.m. for a trial verdict after pleading not guilty to two assault charges laid by the RCMP.
She was scheduled for a verdict on Aug. 27 when the matter was postponed at the request of Chief Judge Brian C. McLean, who presided over the trial.
Demerchant was charged with assault with a weapon and assault causing bodily harm concerning an incident on Nov. 5, 2024, in Beechwood.
On Sept. 29, the Crown withdrew another assault charge laid against Demerchant by Woodstock Police. She was charged with assaulting a male victim in connection with an incident on Feb. 15, 2025, in Woodstock. She pleaded not guilty, and her trial was booked for next February. The court vacated the trial date on Tuesday.
Trial booked on three charges
Elizabeth Alice Davidson, 55, of Nackawic, will appear in provincial court on Sept. 22, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to charges laid by the RCMP and Woodstock Police.
RCMP charged Davidson with theft from the Debec Store on May 16. Woodstock Police also charged her with breach of probation and mischief causing property damage on May 26, 2025, at the Valley Food Bank on Houlton Road. Her trial date was requested by her lawyer via teleconference on Sept. 29.
East Brighton man awaits sentencing
Ozzie Jr. Trecartin, 31, of East Brighton, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 17 at 1:30 p.m. for his sentencing after changing his plea to guilty on charges laid by the RCMP.
His sentencing was scheduled for Sept. 29, but the matter was adjourned again because Trecartin was still struggling with complex health issues.
Trecartin pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm without a licence, storage of multiple firearms in a careless manner, and resisting arrest on July 21, 2024, in East Brighton. He also pleaded guilty to impaired driving and two counts of driving while suspended on July 21, 2024, in Peel.
Other charges of attempted murder, reckless discharge of a firearm at a place while a person was inside, two counts of indictable assault against another man, and uttering threats were withdrawn by the Crown.
Trecartin appeared in provincial court via video for a bail hearing on July 30, 2024, and was released on conditions. The court ordered him to have no firearms in his possession.
