Butler verdict delayed
A verdict in the Rodney Butler trial has been delayed until Sept. 9 at 1:30 p.m.
Associate Chief Judge Brian C. McLean was scheduled to render his decision on July 2. However, McLean told the court he needed more time to complete his deliberations in writing. Crown Prosecutor Rodney Jordan and Defence Counsel Alex Pate agreed to the delay.
Butler, 50, of Bulls Creek, was charged by RCMP with intentionally discharging a firearm while reckless as to the life and safety of another person, 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 on Nov. 13, 2021, at Bulls Creek.
No charges have been laid in relation to the killing of Butler’s partner, Christine Pelletier-Thibodeau, who died as a result of her injuries following a shootout outside Butler’s residence on the day of the incident. Police tape was erected around the property, which was surrounded by a vehicle salvage yard.
Members of Pelletier-Thibodeau’s family were in court on July 2 for the verdict and left the proceedings disappointed by the delay. Butler was also in attendance and exited the courtroom quietly to await his new court date.
Arrest warrant issued for Bon Trecartin
The court issued an arrest warrant for Bon Trecartin, 35, of East Brighton, who is wanted by police in connection with an attack on a woman in her home on June 23.
Trecartin is facing charges of sexual assault with a weapon and uttering threats. RCMP reported a man broke into a home in East Brighton, where he assaulted and threatened the female victim. The woman was able to call 911, at which point her attacker fled the scene.
On July 2, the court heard Trecartin was still evading police, and Associate Chief Judge Brian C. McLean issued a warrant.
Sentencing set for Bloomfield man
Logan Sanders, 25, of Bloomfield, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 2 and pleaded guilty to several charges laid against him by RCMP. His sentencing date was set for July 30 at 1:30 p.m.
Sanders pleaded guilty to indictable dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident concerning an incident on April 26 near Meductic. He was arrested while attempting to cross the Woodstock/Houlton border.
The charges were laid following an accident when an oncoming car driving in the wrong lane forced a vehicle off the four-lane highway. A Plaster Rock woman and three youths were not injured when their vehicle left the highway and rolled over in the ditch after swerving to avoid the oncoming car.
Sanders also pleaded guilty to committing mischief by damaging a woodstove, walls, door and a table at a residence on Dec. 1-31, 2023, in Bloomfield; guilty to two counts of uttering threats on Sept. 1 in Bloomfield; and guilty to mischief by damaging doors and windows on Oct. 1-31, 2023, in Maple Ridge.
He pleaded not guilty to another charge of assault with a weapon (a knife) involving a male victim on Sept. 1, 2023, in Bloomfield. His trial date was set for Sept. 4 at 1:30 p.m. Sanders was denied bail on May 30.
Awaiting bail hearing
Matthew McGrath, 31, of no fixed address, was scheduled to appear in provincial court in custody by video on July 2 for a bail hearing. He was arrested by RCMP on June 28 and charged with resisting arrest, uttering threats, assault and breach of probation.
The bail hearing in Woodstock was adjourned due to other charges in Edmundston, where McGrath was also attending another bail hearing the same afternoon.
In custody on new charges
Jace Maddox Anderson, 19, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody on July 2 to answer new charges laid by Woodstock Police. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on July 4 at 9:30 a.m.
Anderson was charged with uttering threats and breach of a no-contact order following an incident on July 1 in Woodstock.
He also appeared in court in custody on Jan. 18 and was released with conditions. Woodstock Police charged him with two counts of uttering threats against a female victim in connection with incidents on Jan. 14 and Jan. 17 in Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for March 20, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Woodstock Police also charged Anderson with assault and uttering threats in connection with an incident at a Woodstock apartment on May 25, 2023. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for July 4 at 9:30 a.m.
Anderson also faces a charge of failing to appear in court on Nov. 1, 2023. He pleaded not guilty, and the trial date was set for July 4 at 9:30 a.m.
Held for bail hearing
Trevor Crain, 49, of Killoween, appeared in provincial court in custody on July 2 and was remanded to jail. He returns to court in custody by video for a bail hearing on July 4 at 9:30 a.m.
Crain was charged by RCMP with possession of a prohibited weapon (brass knuckles), resisting arrest, and breach of a release order in connection with an incident on July 1 at Killoween. He also faces a charge of possessing stolen property for a separate incident on May 5.
Crain is also scheduled to appear for trial on July 11 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to a series of other charges.
Crain was charged by RCMP with break and enter at a dwelling house, breaching an undertaking on June 15, 2023, at Moose Mountain, and committing an assault involving a female victim on June 11, 2023, at Killoween.
He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 14, 2023, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. As part of his release order, he was ordered to follow a curfew and report to the police weekly.
Returning to set trial date
Christopher Hazen Hamilton, 50, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on July 2 and pleaded not guilty to 12 charges laid by Woodstock Police. He returns to court on Aug. 13 at 9:30 a.m. to set a trial date.
Hamilton appeared in custody by video on June 10 and was released 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 before his release.
Released from custody with conditions
Lucas Green, 19, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 2 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He returns to court for plea on July 23 at 9:30 a.m.
Green will be living in Newbridge. He was charged with uttering threats and committing mischief causing property damage to a door in an incident on June 15 at Mapledale.
Green also appeared in provincial court for sentencing on April 23 after pleading guilty to an assault charge laid by RCMP. His sentencing was set for Aug. 13 at 1:30 p.m. to allow for the completion of a pre-sentence report.
Green was charged with aggravated assault against another man and committing mischief causing property damage to a vehicle in connection with an incident on Oct. 19, 2023, at Richmond Corner.
He pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of assault causing bodily harm. The crown intends to withdraw the mischief charge at sentencing.
Woodstock man to stand trial
Shane Lee Dickison, 36, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 2 and pleaded not guilty to all charges laid against him by RCMP and Woodstock Police. His trial was set for Sept. 26 at 1:30 p.m. and Sept. 27 at 9:30 a.m.
Dickison appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 11 and waived his bail until later. He was charged with breaching his curfew on June 5 at Hodgdon Road.
Dickison was also charged with two counts of assault with a weapon (a knife) involving another man, two counts of uttering threats, breach of a peace bond, and resisting arrest in connection with incidents on April 23 and May 6 in Lower Woodstock.
Dickison appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 16 for a bail hearing. After an earlier 35-day jail sentence was served, an order was made to release him from custody with conditions on May 30.
He was released with an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was ordered to follow a curfew, abstain from drugs and have no contact with the complainants but was re-arrested.
East Brighton man arrested for intoxication
Eric Vrieze, 47, of East Brighton, appeared in provincial court on July 2 and was arrested by sheriffs at the courthouse for being in an intoxicated condition. He returned to court later in custody but could not answer his name. His head bobbed from side to side, and he was unaware of his surroundings.
Associate Chief Judge Brian C. McLean released him into the custody of family members until his next court appearance on July 23 at 9:30 a.m. The court heard Vrieze had a drug problem and was awaiting an appointment with mental health.
Vrieze appeared in court on June 11 and pleaded not guilty to three charges laid by RCMP. His court appearance on July 2 was to set a trial date.
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.
Sentencing scheduled after guilty plea
Cain Glendon Sparkes, 40, of Richibucto Road, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 2 and pleaded guilty to two charges laid by RCMP. His sentencing was set for July 30 at 1:30 p.m.
Sparkes was charged with two counts of being at large on a release order and possession of a stolen vehicle in connection with an incident on May 24 at Lower Knoxford.
He pleaded guilty to having the stolen vehicle and one count of being at large on a release order. The crown will withdraw the remaining charge at sentencing. The court heard the matter may be transferred to Fredericton, where Sparkes is facing additional charges.
Awaiting plea on firearm charges
Jeffrey David Watson, 33, of Johnville, will appear in provincial court on July 30 at 9:30 a.m. to answer three firearm charges laid by RCMP. He appeared in court on July 2 for plea when the matter was adjourned to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.
Watson was charged with possession of a firearm without a licence, possession of a firearm dangerous to the public peace, and careless use of a firearm in relation to an incident on Nov. 27, 2023, at Lower Kintore.
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.
Woodstock Police charged Trecartin with uttering threats against a female victim following an incident on Nov. 1, 2023, in Woodstock. He appeared in court on July 2 to set a trial date. A monitoring date was also set for Oct. 8 at 9:30 a.m. to confirm he will be ready to proceed to trial.
Woodstock man facing two charges
Justin Shea of Woodstock will appear in provincial court on July 23 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by RCMP. He appeared in court on July 2 when the matter was adjourned to allow him more time to seek legal counsel.
Shea was charged with mischief causing property damage, break and enter, and theft related to an incident on March 17 at the East Coast Truck Wash in Lower Woodstock.
Trial set for Clearview man
Kyle Laurie Williams, 35, of Clearview, appeared in provincial court on July 2 for monitoring about his trial. He told the court he still needed legal counsel. Another monitoring date was set for July 23 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to get a lawyer.
Williams is scheduled to appear for trial in provincial court on Oct. 7 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to one charge laid by RCMP. He was charged 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.
In custody awaiting trial
Kyrin Moulton, 18, of Grand Falls, formerly of Neqotkuk, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 2 on charges laid by RCMP. He pleaded not guilty to one set of charges, and a trial date was set for Aug. 14 at 1:30 p.m.
RCMP charged Moulton with assault involving a female victim, breach of probation, and breach of a release order stemming from an incident between April 14 and April 25 in Perth-Andover. He pleaded not guilty and waived his bail until later.
Moulton was also charged with breach of probation and two counts of breaching a release order for incidents on June 10 at Perth Andover and Neqotkuk. He returns to court in custody on July 16 at 11 a.m. for plea on these charges.
Moulton appeared in court in custody by video on May 30 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was taken back into custody on June 12.
Returning for plea
Jack Michael Pirie, 20, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on July 23 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on one charge laid by Woodstock Police. He was scheduled to appear in court on July 2 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel.
Pirie appeared in provincial court in custody on June 10 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was arrested on a warrant and charged with assaulting police with intent to resist arrest on June 8 in Woodstock.
Sentencing Thursday for Perth-Andover man
James Edward Pickard, 30, of Perth-Andover, will appear in provincial court on July 4 at 9:30 a.m. for sentencing after changing his plea to guilty on an assault charge laid by RCMP.
Pickard pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon (a Japanese sword called a katana) concerning an incident on April 29, 2023, at Perth-Andover. The crown withdrew another charge of possessing a weapon dangerous to the public peace.
Pickard agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond regarding two other charges of uttering threats and committing mischief on May 3, 2023, in Perth-Andover. The peace bond will result in those charges being withdrawn.
Pickard appeared in provincial court in custody for his bail hearing on July 12, 2023, and was released with conditions. He was remanded until his release from custody.
Charged with mischief
Stacey Harry Broad, 56, of Centreville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 2 to answer a mischief charge laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until July 9 at 11 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Broad was charged with committing mischief causing property damage to a vehicle for an incident on Jan. 23 at Johnson Settlement.
Broad appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 23 and was denied bail. On May 9, he pleaded not guilty to multiple assault charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for Sept. 4 at 9:30 a.m.
Broad was charged with assault, assault by choking, sexual assault and unlawful confinement involving a female victim in connection with an incident in the County of York between April 3 and April 10.
He was released from custody with conditions but was re-arrested on a charge of breaching his release order on April 15. A monitoring date for his trial was set for July 29 at 9:30 a.m.
Plaster Rock man remains in remand
Steven Frank Powers, 59, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 2 to answer charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until July 16 at 11 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.
Powers was remanded in February for a mental health assessment at Restigouche Hospital after being arrested by RCMP. He was charged with breach of an undertaking and breach of probation for an incident in Plaster Rock. He has since been transferred back to jail in Madawaska and waived his bail until later.
Two charged in break-in
Mitchell Hillman, 36, of Wilmot, will appear in provincial court on July 18 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on a charge related to a break-in at the tourist bureau at Richmond Corner. He appeared in court on July 2 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel.
Michael Holt, 68, of Riverglade, will appear in provincial court on July 23 at 9:30 a.m. to answer a charge stemming from the same break-in. He appeared in court on June 11 for plea when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
The pair was charged by RCMP with break, enter and theft in connection with an incident on Feb. 19.
Facing threat charge
Jacob Jinson, 25, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on July 9 at 9:30 a.m. to answer a threat charge. He appeared in court on July 2 for plea when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Jinson appeared in provincial court in custody on April 17 and was released with conditions. RCMP charged him with uttering threats for an incident on April 10 at Somerville.
Failing to report whereabouts
Todd Clay Dufour, 34, of Perth-Andover, will appear in provincial court on Aug. 13 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on 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 appeared in court on July 2 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel.
Grand Falls pair to stand trial
Michael Langlois-Martell, 33, of Grand Falls, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on July 2 for monitoring about his upcoming trial. The court heard he was in custody on other charges in Edmundston and had been denied bail.
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 regarding 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.
A co-accused, Sasha Perley, 28, of Grand Falls, was charged with possessing a stolen vehicle (a Toyota Tundra) for the same incident. Her trial date was set for Oct. 23 at 1:30 p.m. She pleaded not guilty at a court appearance on Jan. 23.
Charged with assaulting police
Bronson Paul of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) will appear in provincial court on July 30 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 July 2 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.
Arrest warrant issued
The court issued an arrest warrant for Billie Jean Kinney, 27, of Woodstock, after she failed to appear in provincial court on July 2 for plea on one charge laid by Woodstock Police.
Kinney was charged with breach of probation by failing to report to the probation office as ordered by the court on Dec. 6, 2022. She made her first court appearance on June 4.
Plymouth Road man faces additional charge
Andrew Pelkey, 44, of Plymouth Road, appeared in provincial court on July 2 to answer a charge of failing to appear in court. He returns to court for plea on July 30 at 9:30 a.m.
Pelkey appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Feb. 5 and was released with conditions. He was arrested on a warrant when he appeared for trial in provincial court on Feb. 2. His trial was adjourned until July 19 at 9:30 a.m.
The warrant was issued after Pelkey failed to appear in court for plea on Dec. 19, 2023. He was also charged with breaching his release order by violating his curfew following an incident in Woodstock on Sept. 30, 2023.
He appeared for trial in provincial court on Nov. 30, 2023, on eight other charges laid by the RCMP. The trial was adjourned at the request of his defence counsel, but due to his arrest, it did not proceed as scheduled.
At an earlier court appearance, Pelkey pleaded not guilty to assault with a weapon (a belt, glass bottle and stick), assault by choking, uttering threats, assault, pointing a firearm at another person, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace (BB guns and a pellet gun), careless use of a firearm, and willfully causing pain to a dog by shooting it with a pellet gun. The charges were laid in connection with incidents which occurred between Feb. 1 and March 21, 2023, near Richmond Corner. The alleged threats and assaults involve a female victim.
