Latest news with #ThomasConnorWilson
CBC
28-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Teen charged with murder in uptown Saint John shooting elects jury trial
A teenager charged with first-degree murder in connection with a shooting in uptown Saint John earlier this month has elected to be tried by judge and jury. The 17-year-old, who can't be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, appeared in Saint John youth court by video from custody Wednesday afternoon. He's one of three people accused in the death of Thomas Connor Wilson, 20, whose body was found in a car in a parking lot near King's Square on May 13, shortly after police responded to reports of shots being fired near the corner of Carmarthen Street and King Street East around 10:30 a.m. Police issued a shelter-in-place warning as they searched for three suspects seen leaving the area on foot, and a second warning later in the day for a neighbourhood on the city's west side. If the teen is convicted, the Crown advised the court it will seek to have him sentenced as an adult. That's life in prison instead of the maximum 10-year sentence, comprised of up to six years in custody and the remainder to be served in the community under conditional supervision, allowed under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The teen showed no reaction as four of his supporters — two men and two women — looked on from the front row of the courtroom. He will be back in court on June 10 to set a date for a preliminary inquiry — a hearing to determine if there's enough evidence to proceed to trial. Up to five days are expected to be set aside. The teen remains remanded in custody and reserves his right to a bail hearing at a later date. Cases of co-accused adjourned One of his co-accused, Sheldon Ashford Scrubb, 30, also made a brief appearance Wednesday in Saint John provincial court by video from custody. His first-degree murder case was set over until June 11 to give his lawyer more time to review the "quite voluminous" disclosure from the Crown. Scrubb remains in custody. Meanwhile, Hayden David Donald-Bentley, 20, who's also charged with first-degree murder, appeared in Saint John provincial court by video on May 21 and has been given until June 3 to secure a lawyer. He, too, remains in custody.
CBC
15-05-2025
- CBC
2nd suspect charged with 1st-degree murder in uptown Saint John shooting
A second man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of a 20-year-old man in uptown Saint John Tuesday morning. A youth has also been charged in the case, but no details were immediately available Thursday from Saint John police or the provincial court. Police were called about shots fired near the corner of Carmarthen Street and King Street East Tuesday around 10:30 a.m. Upon arrival, officers found a 20-year-old man dead in a parking lot near King's Square, prompting a shelter-in-place warning for the area and a second warning later in the day for a neighbourhood on the city's west side. The victim was identified in Saint John provincial court Thursday as Thomas Connor Wilson. Sheldon Scrubb, 30, appeared in court remotely by phone from police holding cells on the murder charge. His lawyer, Nathan Gorham, requested an adjournment to allow him time to review disclosure from the Crown. "It looks like there's a lot," he advised the court, later describing it to reporters as being "three or four inches" thick. "Even though I don't have disclosure, I've received a briefing on what the file is about and what the allegation is about," Gorham said. "And based on what I've been told, there's nothing new, as compared to what Mr. Scrubb already learned last evening" from police. Scrubb was "anxious to find out if the actual file said something different than the police had told him," and since Gorham hadn't had an opportunity to consult with him in private, he "wanted to let him know that to ease his mind." Judge Andrew LeMesurier set the case over until May 28. Scrubb remains remanded in custody. "Do you understand?" the judge asked. "Yes, sir," Scrubb replied. Intends to plead not guilty Outside court, Gorham told CBC News his client intends to plead not guilty. "The information I have is that he did not shoot anyone," he said. Gorham said he anticipates Scrubb will be tried with his co-accused, Hayden Donald-Bentley, 20, who was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder and remanded until his next appearance on May 21. But the law stipulates the youth must be tried separately, he said. Crown prosecutor Jeremy Erickson initially requested the judge order Scrubb to have no contact with Donald-Bentley, but after a brief discussion with Gorham, he rescinded the request, saying the "impracticality of it outweighs the benefit." As the judge pointed out, the two accused are likely incarcerated at the same jail and Scrubb might have to be isolated. "It might end up being a hardship," said Gorham. In an update late Wednesday, Saint John police said the third suspect who was scheduled to appear in court Thursday was arrested with the assistance of the Kennebecasis Regional Police Force, which polices nearby Rothesay and Quispamsis. The update did not say where the suspect was apprehended.
