Warrant issued for witnesses in New Waterford man’s assault trial

A New Waterford man’s assault trial was interrupted Thursday when two of the Crown’s key witnesses failed to show up for testimony.

Gervase Francis Angione, 28, of Ling Street, is charged with assault with a weapon (a machete) and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace.

The offences are alleged to have occurred Jan. 9 at an apartment in New Waterford.

Crown attorney Peter Harrison began the trial in provincial court in Sydney by calling Staff Sgt. Kenny Routledge of the Cape Breton Regional Police to testify.

Routledge said a 911 call was placed to report that a man’s throat had been slit. He later took a statement from the victim, Jason Scott Murphy of Sydney, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in the early morning hours of Jan. 10. At the time, Murphy had bandages on his neck and on the lower part of his back.

Murphy, who is one of the principal witnesses in the case, did not show up Thursday for testimony, nor did his girlfriend at the time of the incident, Kallie Renee Young of Scotchtown.

Attempts were made to locate the pair, although Harrison noted that subpoenas were already sent to them in July with instructions on how to attend the proceedings.

It was decided Thursday that witness warrants would be issued for the arrests of Murphy and Young. They will be expected to attend court on Sept. 20 for a status update and again on Nov. 9 for Angione’s trial continuation.

A female co-accused is also charged in this incident. She continues to be before the court, having not yet entered pleas. Angoine’s defence lawyer will be expected to call just one witness.