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Manslaughter Accused Chooses Jury Trial, Preliminary Hearing Deferred to July 14

Judge W. Andrew LeMesurier adjourned proceedings to July 14 to schedule a two-week preliminary inquiry after Burns-Smith pleaded not guilty to related threats counts.

Overview

  • Calvin Burns-Smith formally elected a jury trial Monday on charges of manslaughter and indignity to remains in the death of 26-year-old Sarah Teakles.
  • He entered not guilty pleas to two counts of uttering threats stemming from incidents on April 5 and April 17 in Saint John.
  • Crown prosecutor Elaina Campbell estimated the preliminary inquiry would take at least two weeks to determine if there is sufficient evidence for trial.
  • Judge LeMesurier noted that two-week hearings are unusual in provincial court before adjourning to set inquiry dates on July 14.
  • Sarah Teakles was last seen April 14 in Musquash and her body was recovered April 17 in the Maces Bay area during an RCMP search.