3 now charged with 1st-degree murder in uptown Saint John shooting
Sheldon Scrubb, 30, latest to be charged in death of Thomas Connor Wilson, 20
Three people have now been charged with first-degree murder in connection with a shooting in uptown Saint John Tuesday morning.
A 30-year-old man appeared in Saint John provincial court Thursday, while a 20-year-old man and a youth aged 17 were both charged Wednesday.
Police were called about shots being 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, is the latest to be accused in his death. Scrubb 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.
The 17-year-old, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was also charged with first-degree murder Wednesday. He, too, remains in custody and is due back in court on May 21.
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.
Saint John police did not respond to a request for an interview Thursday.
In an update late Wednesday, 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.
A youth was also in custody as of Wednesday afternoon, according to an earlier update, while another male suspect was arrested by mid-afternoon Tuesday, when the alert was lifted, police said.