Murphy to enter plea on manslaughter charge on September 3
Tyler Murphy made another brief appearance in Moncton provincial court on Friday morning along with his lawyer Pierrette Allain.
Allain told Judge Suzanne Bernard that Murphy had elected to have a trial by judge and jury, without a preliminary enquiry.
When he returns on September 3, Murphy will coming to the Court of King’s Bench to enter a plea on charges of manslaughter. He temporarily waived the right to a bail hearing and will remain in custody until then.
Murphy is charged in the stabbing death of another Sackville man, 44-year-old Shawn Mitton.
Mitton was found by police on the evening of March 16, lying on the side of Lorne Street in Sackville suffering from apparent stab wounds. The 44-year-old father of four was transported to hospital where he died as a result of his injuries.
Some of Mitton’s family members were in court on Friday. Members of Murphy’s family also attended.
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Another adjournment in Sackville manslaughter case
Tyler Murphy made a brief appearance in Moncton provincial court on Monday morning, and will be back in just under three weeks’ time.
22-year-old Murphy is charged with manslaughter in the death of Shawn Mitton on March 16, 2024. Mitton was found on the side of the road with stab wounds and later died in hospital. Murphy was arrested shortly thereafter.
Murphy’s defense lawyer Pierrette Allain told the judge she had received disclosure from the crown and now needed time to seek permission from Legal Aid to make an election, or choose the mode of trial for the manslaughter charge.
This was the third adjournment of the case since Murphy’s original charge of second degree murder was withdrawn and the charge of manslaughter was laid, on March 27, 2024.
Allain said she had met with Murphy Monday morning before court, to go over his options for a trial.
Family members of both Murphy and the victim Shawn Mitton were in the courtroom to witness the brief proceeding.
Murphy is now due back in court on July 26 at 9:30am, to choose the mode of trial and set a date for a preliminary hearing. He will remain in custody until then.… Continue
Murphy remains in custody until June 10
22-year-old Tyler Murphy was in Moncton provincial court on Monday for a brief appearance.
Murphy is charged with manslaughter in the death of 44-year-old father of four, Shawn Mitton.
Police found Mitton on the evening of March 16, laying on the side of Lorne Street in Sackville, suffering from apparent stab wounds. He was then transported to hospital where he died as a result of his injuries.
Murphy and his brother Dylan were arrested shortly thereafter, and originally charged with second degree murder. Those charges were later withdrawn, and a single charge of manslaughter against Tyler Murphy was laid by the crown on March 27.
On Monday, Murphy’s lawyer Pierette Allain asked the judge for an adjournment while Murphy waits for a second round of disclosure expected from the crown prosecutor’s office. Allain said her client had received some evidence from the prosecution, but was told by crown lawyer Denis Sawyer to expect a second wave of disclosure.
Judge Luc Labonté adjourned the matter until June 10, when he said the court would set a date for a preliminary hearing in the case.
Tyler Murphy will remain in custody and be back in court on June 10.… Continue
Murder charges withdrawn, replaced with single manslaughter charge for Sackville man
Second degree murder charges against two Sackville men in the stabbing death of Shawn Mitton on March 16 have been withdrawn, and replaced with a single charge of manslaughter.
Tyler Murphy and Dylan Murphy appeared in Moncton provincial court on Wednesday morning with members of Shawn Mitton’s family present in court. Prosecutor Denis Sawyer withdrew the charge against 22-year-old Tyler Murphy, and replaced it with a charge of manslaughter. Murphy will remain in custody and return to court in six weeks time, on May 13, to allow time for the crown to release disclosure and for his lawyer to review it.
The charge against Dylan Murphy was withdrawn, and the 20-year-old was released.
Manslaughter is a homicide committed without intent to kill, through either unlawful act or criminal negligence. It carries no minimum sentence, unless committed with a firearm.
Shawn Mitton was found by police on March 16 shortly after 7:45pm, lying on the side of Lorne Street in Sackville suffering from apparent stab wounds. The 44-year-old father of four was transported to hospital where he died as a result of his injuries.
‘A family man’
According to his obituary, Mitton was “a family man who loved spending time with his sons. Whatever his sons were involved in, he was in 100%, announcing at their hockey games, outings in the woods, or enjoying an impromptu meal over a campfire.”
Mitton had recently moved his new upholstery business into a space on Main Street in Sackville, and was seeing considerable success and community support.… Continue
Man dead, two charged with second degree murder after weekend stabbing incident
Residents of Sackville and area are still reeling from the death of a Sackville man over the weekend.
Shawn Mitton was a 44-year-old father of four, and had recently opened a business on Main Street in Sackville. Forty-Six & 2 Creative Upholstery was incorporated last spring, and according to posts on social media, Mitton had recently moved into his new shop and expanded the business to a full time operation.
Since the news of his death, many are making efforts to raise funds in support of Mitton’s children. An account in Mitton’s name is set up at Wheaton’s Recycling to collect funds for the family, and collections jars and 50-50 draws at some upcoming Sackville Minor Hockey events are being organized. Mitton was a volunteer hockey coach and announcer.
Two arrested remain in custody
The New Brunswick RCMP Major Crime Unit is investigating Mitton’s death as a homicide, and have arrested and charged two Sackville men, Tyler Murphy and Dylan Murphy, with second degree murder.
The two Murphys appeared separately in Moncton provincial court on Tuesday morning, represented temporarily by laywers on duty, who asked the court for an adjournment until next week. Tyler Murphy waived the reading of the charge against him, but the judge read the charge of second degree murder to Dylan Murphy, who said he understood. Dylan Murphy’s duty counsel said he would apply to legal aid as soon as he returned to jail in Shediac.
The crown asked that both men remain in custody until they are due back in court next Wednesday, March 27 at 9:30am.… Continue
Rash of stolen vehicles appear to be used for joy riding, police remind drivers not to leave keys in cars
A rash of vehicle thefts is plaguing the Sackville region, with at least five vehicles reported stolen in the past two weeks.
Sergeant Eric Hanson told CHMA via email that since November 30, a truck and a car in Memramcook, and a car in Sackville were stolen and later recovered. Earlier, on November 21, two trucks were reported stolen in Sackville, with one immediately recovered nearby.
One vehicle that was located on December 2 was “completely burned”, said Hanson.
Hanson says the stolen vehicles appear to have been used for joy riding. No arrests have been made in the thefts.
Hanson says that In at least four of the five recent vehicle thefts, the keys were left inside the vehicle before it was stolen. Hanson issued a reminder to the public to lock vehicle doors, and never leave keys inside a car. He also says valuables should not be left in vehicles, especially in plain view. … Continue
Seven arrested in early morning police raid on Pond Shore Road
The RCMP are not releasing much information about a police operation that took place early Wednesday morning on Pond Shore Road in Sackville. At about 6am, area residents report hearing a series of loud bangs that sounded like gunshots, and saw smoke and flashing lights in the vicinity of 106 Pond Shore Road. The house now has boarded up windows.
RCMP spokesperson Hans Ouellette says that seven people were arrested at the residence, and the situation did not pose a threat to the general public. Ouellette said the operation involved the RCMP’s Emergency Response Team and other “specialized policing services”, and was part of an ongoing investigation.
Oullette did not disclose the nature of the investigation or if charges were laid as a result of arrests. “We will provide more information when we are able and it is appropriate to do so,” said Ouellette via email.
The home is owned by widower Reginald Sears, whose grandson Colt LeBlanc is due to go to trial on December 4, facing charges stemming from a police operation at his Upper Aboujagane home in April 2021. LeBlanc alongside his sometimes partner Carrie is being tried on three charges: possession of stolen property under $5,000, possession of prohibited firearms, and possession of an illegal substance for the purpose of trafficking.
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Crossman found responsible for actions; seeks second opinion
A Sackville man accused of murdering and dismembering his spouse has been granted a six week adjournment in court proceedings so that he can get a second opinion on whether or not he can be held criminally responsible for his actions.
Roger Hilyard Crossman appeared by videoconference in Moncton Provincial Court on Thursday morning, in what was slated as a plea and election hearing for the two charges against the 62-year-old.
Crossman was represented by Saint Antoine lawyer Tim Dubé, who told the court that his client wanted a second opinion, in part based on a language barrier during his psychiatric assessment at the Restigouche Hospital Centre in Campbellton. Dubé asked for either a second assessment to be conducted at the Restigouche centre, or time to arrange for a private psychiatrist to evaluate Crossman.
Crown prosecutor Martine Cormier told Judge Ronald LeBlanc that the results of the original psychiatric assessment, which Leblanc had in sealed envelope, found that Crossman was responsible for his actions. The judge asked both Cormier and Dubé if the report contained any grounds to order a second assessment at the Restigouche centre. Neither could provide any.
Dubé asked the court for six weeks adjournment to allow time for a privately arranged psychiatric assessment, and also for the lawyer to receive and review disclosure from the prosecutor. Leblanc granted the adjournment and set a date for another hearing on January 8, 2024.
Leblanc suggested setting a preliminary hearing date in order to save time in the process, but both prosecution and defense lawyers suggested that wait until January 8.… Continue
Dorchester man arrested and charged with assault with a weapon
A 46-year-old man from Dorchester has been charged with assault with a weapon and a number of other charges. Cory Kevin Lucci was arrested by Sackville RCMP on October 19 in Dorchester, and has appeared in court twice since, but remains in police custody. Lucci is due back in court on November 2, to set a date for a bail hearing.
In addition to assault with a weapon, Lucci is charged with uttering threats, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of fentanyl, oxycodone and cannabis for the purposes of trafficking, and impaired driving.
In a news release, the Sackville RCMP say they executed a search warrant at a residence after they arrested Lucci. Police says they seized a firearm, knives, ammunition, a prohibited weapon, and quantities of what is believed to be cannabis, fentanyl, oxycodone, and contraband cigarettes.
Police says the investigation continues.… Continue
Police looking for help identifying suspect in lumberyard theft
The Sackville RCMP have put out a call for help regarding the theft of roofing material that took place on Mallard Drive in September.
Sergeant Eric Hanson of the Sackville detachment says police were dispatched to Payzant’s Home Hardware in Sackville in the early morning of September 19, 2023, in response to report of a theft. Sometime between 3:30am and 5:20am that morning someone cut the lock to the lumberyard and stole 26 packs of roof shingles and four rolls of Weathertex roofing material. The materials are valued at about $1700.
Hanson says the suspect was driving a black Ford F150, “and in the process of getting in and out of there actually broke the passenger mirror on their vehicle.” The suspect was captured on video and appeared to be a white male wearing a green bandana covering his face, a red t shirt, a black hoodie, blue jeans and black shoes.
“As of now, this person has not yet been identified, but we’re reaching out to the public for help,” says Hanson. “If anybody may have seen somebody matching that description or that vehicle in the Sackville area around that time, we encourage them to call the RCMP.”
Hanson says police don’t believe the theft is connected to others in the region.
The call for public help is coming weeks after the incident occurred, and Hanson says there’s no special reason for the delay outside of scheduling of officers, and the process for news releases to be prepared and approved.… Continue