Heading to trial

A Cape Breton mother charged with being an accessory after the fact to a death alleged to have been committed by her son has elected trial in Supreme Court.

Norma Francis MacNeil, 56, of Albert Bridge is charged with being an accessory after the fact by helping Thomas Smith (her son) by attempting to delete emails from his cellphone and destroying his cellphone.

She is also charged with obstruction of justice by dissuading an individual from speaking to police and counselling that person to provide false information. MacNeil is also charged with attempted obstruction by removing and destroying evidence from a cellphone.

The offences are alleged to have occurred between March and June.

Thomas Joseph Smith, 26, is facing charges, including criminal negligence causing death by texting while driving, in relation to the death of 54-year-old Jackie Deveau of Cheticamp who died March 11.

Deveau died after being struck by a vehicle on Highway 125 near the Mira Road exit.

The driver of the vehicle that hit Deveau fled the scene.

During a provincial court appearance Wednesday, MacNeil elected to be tried by Supreme Court judge alone and waived her right to a preliminary hearing.

She is now to appear in Supreme Court Aug. 23 to receive a trial date.

MacNeil continues her release on conditions including that she have no contact with her son.