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Teenager pleads guilty to misleading police in Tyson MacDonald death

One of the two teens charged in the death of 17-year-old Tyson MacDonald pleaded guilty to two charges during an appearance in Georgetown Provincial Court on Thursday.

All other charges against youth accused in eastern P.E.I. teen's death were stayed

Devon Goodsell, Stephen Brun · CBC News ·
Supporters of Tyson MacDonald's family gathered outside provincial court in Georgetown, P.E.I. on Thursday prior to a court appearance for two youth charged in connection with the eastern P.E.I. teen's death.
Supporters of Tyson MacDonald's family gathered outside provincial court in Georgetown on Thursday while they awaited a court appearance for two youths charged in connection with the eastern P.E.I. teen's death. (Laura Meader/CBC)

One of the two teens charged in the death of 17-year-old Tyson MacDonald pleaded guilty to two charges during an appearance in Georgetown Provincial Court on Thursday.

The teenager appeared in court by video. He said he didn't want a trial and pleaded guilty to charges related to  misleading police and giving false statements on three occasions.

The charges of murder and interfering with human remains against the youth have been stayed, which means they won't be pursued at this time.

The teen's sentencing has been set for April 18.

The boy's lawyer wants him to be released, but the Crown doesn't. That issue was not resolved Thursday, so he remains in custody.

A young boy in a backwards baseball cap and a grey sweater sits in a vehicle.
Tyson MacDonald, 17, went missing on Dec. 14, 2023. After his body was found, RCMP charged two teenagers. (Submitted)

P.E.I. Crown attorney Jeff MacDonald said it's the Crown's position that the teen should stay in custody until his sentencing. 

Emotions are still running very very high, as one can imagine.— Crown attorney Jeff MacDonald

"[The youth] offered false statements to police such that the police were not able to properly investigate an allegation of murder, such that a lot of their attention, a lot of their resources and a lot of focus was diverted away from where it ought to have been. As such, it created a lot of consternation in the community, a lot of panic and a lot of fear," MacDonald said. 

"I think at this point in time that it's in everyone's best interest... that they likely remain in custody. Emotions are still running very very high, as one can imagine." 

A man with close-cropped light hair and a black overcoat over a shirt and blue tie.
P.E.I. Crown attorney Jeff MacDonald says the community, investigators and the court want to get to the bottom of 'the why' in the Tyson MacDonald case. (Laura Meader/CBC)

The second youth's case was adjourned on Thursday. He is charged with first-degree murder and hiding human remains, and is also due back in court on April 18.

A publication ban under the Youth Criminal Justice Act prevents CBC News from naming either of the accused.

'The big question... is the why'

Tyson MacDonald went missing on Dec. 14. Police found his body in eastern P.E.I. almost a week later after an extensive search.

A sign reading Justice for Tyson stuck into the ground in front of a courthouse with people carrying placards in the background.
A sign reading 'Justice for Tyson' was stuck into the snow in front of the Georgetown courthouse on Thursday. (Laura Meader/CBC)

"The big question that's going to be left in the eyes of the community — and certainly in the eyes of the investigators — is the why," Jeff MacDonald said.

"At this point in time, we're left yearning for those answers. We want to get as much of the truth as we possibly can." 

With files from Laura Meader

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