The trial of a Moncton resident accused of a double homicide has been postponed until next week, as informed to the jurors on Thursday. Justice Cameron Gunn, overseeing the trial, mentioned the emergence of a legal issue when the jury was present in the courtroom. Janson Bryan Baker’s trial commenced last Saturday in Moncton’s Court of King’s Bench with the selection of the jury. Baker has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges of first-degree murder.
The Crown presented its opening statement on Tuesday, followed by the initial witness testimony. Due to weather conditions, the trial was postponed until Thursday for the second witness. Jurors arrived in the courtroom approximately an hour late on Thursday, and Gunn informed them that a matter had arisen necessitating discussion between him and the attorneys out of their sight.
Activities in the court during the absence of the jury cannot be disclosed due to a standard publication restriction. While the jury was present in the courtroom, Crown prosecutor James McConnell read out an agreed statement of facts. This document includes details that Baker has acknowledged, negating the requirement for evidence or witness accounts to validate those specifics.
As per the statement, the deceased individuals are Bernard Saulnier and Rose-Marie Saulnier, and their passing occurred in Dieppe around September 7, 2019. It was also noted in the statement that an autopsy was conducted in Saint John on September 9 and 10, 2019, by Dr. Ken Obenson, a forensic pathologist. Following the reading of the statement, the judge informed the jury of their next court appearance on Monday morning, expressing optimism that despite the slow start, they would make up for lost time.
The trial is expected to extend over a period of three months.