Fredericton officer Jeffrey Smiley pleads not guilty to assault
Smiley, previously recognized by Governor General for bravery, will face trial in October
A Fredericton police officer, recognized by the Governor General for his bravery, has pleaded not guilty to domestic assault.
Const. Jeffrey Smiley is accused of assaulting his girlfriend on Feb. 17 and breaching an undertaking to turn over his firearms to authorities on Feb. 27.
Smiley, who was released on bail earlier this month, was not present in provincial court on Tuesday.
Defence lawyer T.J. Burke entered not guilty pleas on both charges on his behalf.
A trial has been scheduled for Oct. 1-2.
Smiley remains under a court order to not have any contact with his girlfriend or be in possession of any firearms.
In December, Smiley received the Star of Courage from the Governor General for pulling Shirley Foster, 73, out of her car after it plunged into the frigid St. John river on Jan. 8, 2012.