Defence awaits video evidence in attempted murder case
Riley Cowper, 19, of Limestone, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 9 for plea on an attempted murder charge following an alleged violent attack on another local man.
Defence Counsel T.J. Burke told the court he was still awaiting the disclosure of video evidence from the crown. Judge Sebastian Michaud then adjourned Cowper’s plea until Oct. 18 at 11 a.m.
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.
He was arrested on Aug. 13 and ordered to have no contact with Butler, who police said was treated at hospital for injuries and later released. On Oct. 9, Cowper’s defence counsel waived his bail until later.
Cowper is also facing a separate charge of assault with a weapon (a hammer and tire iron) involving another man on March 23, 2022. That trial was adjourned to Dec. 16 at 9:30 a.m.
Change of plea in sex trial
Ryan Coles, 33, of Drumheller, Alberta, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 9 for the continuation of his trial on three sex charges laid by RCMP.
Coles was charged with touching a female minor for a sexual purpose, invitation to sexual touching, and sexual assault in connection with an incident on Sept. 2, 2022, in Perth-Andover.
On Oct. 9, he changed his plea to guilty of touching a female minor for a sexual purpose (indictable) and his sentencing date was set for Feb. 21, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. The remaining two charges will be withdrawn by the crown at sentencing.
The court heard the victim testified at length during the trial about being sexual assaulted by the accused. A Snapchat conversation was also entered into evidence by the crown.
Crown Prosecutor Samantha Goodine said she would seek a jail sentence for Coles, while Defence Counsel T.J. Burke advised he would request a conditional sentence order of house arrest.
Chief Judge Brian C. McLean also set a monitoring date for Jan. 2 at 1:30 p.m. The judge requested victim impact statements and a pre-sentence report before sentencing in February.
The defence asked that Coles appear by video for sentencing from Alberta due to the ongoing travel costs for his client to appear in court in Woodstock.
“That may or may not happen,” said Judge McLean. “There are a variety of concerns here.”
Released with conditions
Riley Patrick Michaud, 21, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody on Oct. 8 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He returns to court for plea on Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police charged Michaud with breaching a no-contact order involving a female complainant following an incident on Oct. 2 in Woodstock.
He is also scheduled to appear in provincial court on Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m. to answer a separate assault charge laid by Woodstock Police. Michaud was charged with assault involving a female victim in connection with an incident on Aug. 21 in Woodstock.
Arrested and released
Mitchell Hillman, 36, of Wilmot, appeared in provincial court in custody on Oct. 8 to face new charges laid by Woodstock Police. He was released with conditions and returns to court for plea on Oct. 29 at 9:30 a.m.
Hillman was charged with assault involving a female victim and uttering threats concerning an incident on Sept. 16 in Woodstock. He was also charged with driving while prohibited on Feb. 12 in Woodstock and mischief causing property damage to a truck on Feb. 16 in Woodstock.
Hillman also appeared in provincial court on July 23 and pleaded not guilty to a charge related to a break-in at the tourist bureau at Richmond Corner. His trial date is June 26, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Michael Holt, 68, of Riverglade, also appeared in provincial court on July 23 to answer a charge stemming from the same break-in. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for July 16, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
The pair was charged by RCMP with break, enter and theft in connection with an incident on Feb. 19.
Fine and house arrest
Mitchell Lee Dow, 30, of Canterbury, appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Oct. 8 after changing his plea to guilty on two charges laid by RCMP.
RCMP charged Dow with assault involving a female victim, flight from police, refusing a breathalyzer demand, and breach of an undertaking by failing to comply with a no-contact order in connection with incidents on Sept. 9, 2023, in Debec, Woodstock, and North Lake.
Dow pleaded guilty to the flight charge and refusing a breathalyzer. He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond, which resulted in the assault charge being withdrawn.
On Oct. 8, he was fined $2,600 for the refusal and received a four-month conditional sentence order for fleeing police. The conditional sentence order includes two months of house arrest, with permission to attend work, and two months of following a curfew. A one-year driving prohibition was also imposed for refusing the breathalyzer.
The court heard Dow was driving an ATV at the time of the incident. He had no prior criminal record. The crown withdrew the breach charge.
Fined for impaired driving
Shannon Kelley, 64, of Hillandale, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 8 and changed his plea to guilty on an impaired driving charge. He was fined $1,300 and prohibited from driving for one year.
RCMP charged Kelley in connection with an incident on May 12, 2023, in Perth-Andover. He was apprehended during a police check stop. He had no prior criminal record.
Charged after single-vehicle accident
Joshua Steeves, 36, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 8 and pleaded guilty to an impaired driving charge. He was fined $2,600 and prohibited from driving for one year.
Steeves was charged by RCMP following a single-vehicle accident on July 6 near Red Rapids when his truck left the road and rolled over in the ditch around 9:43 p.m. He had no prior criminal record. The court heard he lost his job as a truck driver as a result of the incident.
Juniper man to stand trial
John Eric Somerville, 36, of Juniper, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 8 to monitor his trial on five charges laid by RCMP. He returns to court for more monitoring on Nov. 19 at 9:30 a.m. to confirm he has legal counsel to proceed to trial.
During an earlier court appearance, Somerville pleaded not guilty and his trial date was set for June 25, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. He appeared in court in custody by video on May 27 and was released with conditions, including a curfew.
RCMP charged him with uttering threats, mischief causing property damage, and assault with a weapon (a hammer) involving a male victim on April 28 in Juniper. He is also facing charges of breaching a no-contact order and uttering threats on May 26 at Juniper. He was arrested and jailed until his court appearance the next day.
Two charged in Perth-Andover incident
Dana Newell, 38, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 8 to answer several charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Oct. 29 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Newell was charged with possession of a prohibited firearm (a sawed-off shotgun), careless use of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a licence, possession of a stolen ATV, and possession of a stolen BB gun, concerning an incident on May 27 in Perth-Andover.
Michael McKee, 18, of Woodstock, was charged with possession of a prohibited firearm (a sawed-off shotgun) stemming from the same incident in Perth-Andover. He appeared in court on Oct. 8 when the matter was also adjourned for plea until Oct. 29 at 9:30 a.m.
Decision reserved on sex charge
Matthew White, 42, of Upper Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 4 for the conclusion of his trial on a sex charge laid by RCMP. The matter was reserved for a decision until Nov. 13 at 9:30 a.m.
White was charged with invitation to sexual touching involving a female minor in connection with an incident on June 3, 2023, in Bloomfield. He pleaded not guilty.
Neqotkuk man facing five charges
Bennett Sacobie of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) will appear in provincial court on Nov. 5 at 1:30 p.m. for plea on several charges laid by RCMP. He appeared in court on Oct. 8 when the matter was adjourned at the request of his defence counsel.
Sacobie was charged with breach of an undertaking, uttering threats, assault, assault causing bodily harm, and unlawful confinement in connection with an incident on Aug. 14 at Neqotkuk. He appeared in court in custody on Aug. 15 and was released with conditions.
Trial set on assault charges
Jessica Brewer, 35, of Wakefield, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 8 and pleaded not guilty to two assault charges. Her trial was set for March 6, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. She was released on an undertaking until her trial.
RCMP charged Brewer with assault on a minor and assault with a weapon (plates, spoons and a chair) for an incident between Jan. 1, 2019, and May 20, 2024, in Wakefield. She was ordered to have no contact with the complainant.
Trial stalled on drug trafficking charge
Mohammed Karam Abualhawa, 24, of Fredericton, will appear in provincial court on Oct. 18 at 9:30 a.m. for a hearing about his trial on a drug trafficking charge.
On Oct. 9, Defence Counsel T.J. Burke told the court he would seek a stay of proceedings on the file due to an ongoing disclosure issue with the crown. The motion for the stay will be heard during the hearing on Oct. 18.
Abualhawa was charged by RCMP with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking following an incident on Feb. 21, 2023, at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation). The charge was laid in connection with a search of a vehicle. His trial was rescheduled for March 6-7, 2025, and March 13, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Glassville man awaiting plea
Adam Luc Joseph Thibodeau of Glassville appeared in provincial court on Oct. 8 for plea on two charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned until Nov. 5 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Thibodeau was charged with possessing a stolen vehicle and a stolen licence plate in connection with an incident on April 9 in Woodstock.
Trial adjourned for Clearview man
Kyle Laurie Williams, 35, of Clearview, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 7 for monitoring about his trial. The court heard the trial would proceed with a court-appointed counsel for cross-examination. Williams plans on representing himself at trial.
Williams’ trial was rescheduled Feb. 26, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. A new monitoring date was also set for Jan. 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
RCMP charged him with transmitting intimate images without consent concerning an incident on June 4, 2023, at Centreville. Williams entered his not-guilty plea during a court appearance on Jan. 9.
Charges withdrawn
The crown withdrew charges against Shawn Sullivan, 38, of Perth-Andover, when he appeared in provincial court on Oct. 4.
Sullivan was charged by RCMP with breaching a peace bond and uttering threats concerning an incident on April 27 at Gladwyn. He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 16 and pleaded not guilty. His trial was scheduled for Oct. 7 and was cancelled.
Adjourned to new date
Brian Keith Reynolds, 45, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Oct. 8 to answer several charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Oct. 29 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Reynolds appeared in provincial court in custody on July 25 and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
RCMP charged him with uttering threats against a female victim, breach of probation, and driving while suspended, stemming from an incident on Oct. 8, 2023, in Bloomfield. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and returns to court on Oct. 29 to set a trial date.
Reynolds was also charged with two counts of resisting arrest on Nov. 1, 2023, and Nov. 27, 2023, at Wotstak. On Sept. 17, he faced two new charges of assault and assault with a weapon concerning another incident on Aug. 4 at Wotstak. He returns for plea on those charges on Oct. 29.
Trial set on threat charge
Steven Derek Trecartin, 46, of East Brighton, will appear for trial in provincial court on May 28, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to a threat charge.
A monitoring date was also scheduled for Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m.
Trecartin was charged by Woodstock Police with uttering threats against a female victim following an incident on Nov. 1, 2023, in Woodstock. He appeared in court on Oct. 8 when the matter was adjourned to the new date for monitoring.
Adjourned for plea
Calvin Joseph Nicholas, 53, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Oct. 8 to answer three charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Nov. 5 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Nicholas was charged by RCMP with possession of methamphetamine, possession of hydromorphone, and driving while prohibited following a recent incident at Neqotkuk. He appeared in provincial court in custody on Sept. 9 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear and was released with conditions.
Another trial for Denny
Braxton Denny, 24, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 8 for plea on multiple charges laid by Woodstock Police.
He was charged with assault, committing mischief by damaging a TV, and breach of a release order by failing to abstain from drugs between May 1 and June 6 in Woodstock; and assaulting a woman, assault by choking, two counts of uttering threats, committing mischief by damaging a mirror and a door, and breach of a release order by failing to abstain from drugs for another incident between June 6-7 in Woodstock.
He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for Sept. 11-12, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. A monitoring date was also scheduled for Dec. 10 at 9:30 a.m.
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 also charged with possession of stolen property on July 23, 2023, a flight from police on July 22, 2023, and two counts of failing to appear in court on Oct. 17 and Oct. 24, 2023. He pleaded not guilty, and 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.
He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond for both incidents in Upper Woodstock, and those charges were withdrawn.
Warrant on file
A warrant is being held on file for Rachel Sockabasin, 40, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), after she failed to appear in provincial court on Oct. 8 for monitoring about her trial.
Sockabasin was charged with breach of an undertaking, breach of probation and three counts of theft concerning incidents on Feb. 12, Aug. 11, 2023, and Dec. 22, 2023, at the Ultramar in Carlingford. She pleaded not guilty, and her trial was scheduled for Jan. 17, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Agreed to peace bond
Eric Vrieze, 47, of East Brighton, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 8 to answer charges laid by RCMP. He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond and the charges were withdrawn.
Vrieze was charged with assaulting police with a weapon (a knife), possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, and resisting arrest concerning an incident on May 6 at Hartland. He pleaded not guilty, and the matter was adjourned to allow the accused to enter a rehab facility.
Canterbury man returning for plea
Issiah Tobi Gabriel, 22, of Canterbury, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 19 at 9:30 a.m. to answer a mischief charge laid by RCMP.
Gabriel was charged with mischief causing property damage to a vehicle in connection with an incident on May 20 at Canterbury. He appeared in court on Oct. 8 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Charged with assaulting police
Bronson Paul of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) will appear in provincial court on Oct. 29 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by RCMP.
Paul was charged with assaulting police and resisting arrest in connection with an incident on May 10 at Neqotkuk. He appeared in court on Oct. 8 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel.
Returning for plea
Whitney Leigh McGuire, 42, of Richmond Corner, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 19 at 9:30 a.m. to answer one charge laid by Woodstock Police.
McGuire was charged with criminal harassment through repeated communication with another person between March 4 and March 20 near Woodstock. She appeared in court on Oct. 8 when the matter was adjourned for plea to the new date.
Plea delayed for Neqotkuk man
Thomas Perley of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) will appear in provincial court on Nov. 5 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by RCMP.
Perley was charged with refusing a breathalyzer and leaving the scene of an accident stemming from an incident on March 29 at Tobique First Nation. He appeared in court on Oct. 8 when the matter was adjourned until the new date at the request of his defence counsel.
Moved to alternative measures
Lisa McGratten, 38, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court on Oct. 8
to answer a mischief charge. The matter was diverted to the alternative measures program.
McGratten was charged by RCMP with mischief causing property damage to a garage door concerning an incident on April 6 near Rowena. She has until Jan. 14, 2025, to complete the requirements of the program and have the charge withdrawn.
Sentencing adjourned
Gavin Schloemer, 33, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court for sentencing on Oct. 8 on charges laid by RCMP. His sentencing was adjourned until Jan. 14, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. to allow for the completion of a pre-sentence report.
Schloemer appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Sept. 27 and was released with conditions. He was charged with breaching a release order (house arrest) in connection with an incident on Sept. 23 at Neqotkuk. He pleaded guilty on Oct. 8.
He also appeared in provincial court on June 17 and pleaded guilty to three other charges laid by RCMP. His sentencing is Jan. 14, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
Schloemer pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and assaulting police on June 21 at Neqotkuk and assaulting police on June 21 at Williamstown. The crown withdrew another charge of failing to appear in court.
Arrest warrant issued
The court issued an arrest warrant for Megan Elizabeth Lewis, 30, of no fixed address, after she failed to appear in court for sentencing on Oct. 8.
Lewis appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on July 9 after being arrested on a warrant in Fredericton. She was released with conditions.
She also failed to appear in provincial court for sentencing on June 28, and a warrant was issued. She told the court she was homeless and without transportation to Woodstock for sentencing.
Associate Chief Judge Brian C. McLean advised her to go to the courthouse in Fredericton to request her sentencing be transferred to that jurisdiction. On Oct. 8, the court heard her charges had yet to be transferred.
Lewis appeared in provincial court on June 12 and changed her plea to guilty on five charges laid by Woodstock Police. She was released on an undertaking until her sentencing.
Lewis was charged with unlawful entry at a dwelling house, assaulting another woman, committing mischief causing property damage to a door, two counts of assaulting a police officer, and breach of probation for an incident on Dec. 28, 2023, in Woodstock. The crown withdrew the charge of unlawful entry.
Lewis appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 21 for a bail hearing. She was released with conditions to a rehab program in Shediac but left the facility in breach of her release order. On June 12, she told the court she did not want to go back.
Lewis spent several months in custody prior to being sent to rehab. The court heard a joint recommendation of time served and probation was to be made at her sentencing hearing by both the crown and defence but she failed to appear.
Trial set on two charges
Ryan Troy O’Donnell, 27, of Johnville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 8 to answer two charges. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for Nov. 7 at 9:30 a.m.
O’Donnell was charged with two counts of breach of a release order on June 26 and June 17. He 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. He waived his bail until later and was remanded on Aug. 21.
