Preliminary hearing dates set in murder case
A three-day preliminary hearing been scheduled for a city man accused of fatally stabbing a 43-year-old Stewart Street man on Feb. 8, 2017.
Bryan Townson, 35, appeared briefly late Thursday morning before Madam Justice Jennifer Broderick in Peterborough Ontario Court of Justice for a status hearing – an opportunity for lawyers on both sides to provide an update.
He faces a first-degree murder charge in connection with the killing of Paul Atchison, who was found wounded on the sidewalk on Dalhousie St. near his home at 200 Stewart St. Unit 3 after a 911 call was made at about 12:30 a.m.
It was the city’s only homicide of 2017.
Three dates had been previously tentatively scheduled – Feb. 23, 27 and 28 – for the preliminary hearing, which determines if there is sufficient evidence to set the matter down for trial before a Superior Court judge.
But duty counsel lawyer Sil Salvaterra relayed a message from Townson’s lawyer, Alison Craig of Toronto firm Lockyer Campbell Posner, indicating she had learned from the trial co-ordinator that the first of those three days was no longer available.
Broderick then approved a request to remove Feb. 23 and add April 9, before adjourning the case until the new start date for the proceeding, Feb. 27, in Courtroom 1.
Assistant Crown attorney Sam Humphrey advised that prosecutors expect four witnesses to testify during the hearing. A standard publication ban prohibits publishing any evidence, including information that could identify them.
Townson, who remains in custody, wore khakis and a tan jacket over a white T-shirt. He sported a goatee and medium-length brown hair. He listened intently to those speaking and spoke quietly with Salvaterra.
During his initial court appearances, he appeared injured – one of his fingers was bandaged and there were scratches on his face beneath his right eye.
Atchison was pronounced dead at Peterborough Regional Health Centre after being treated and rushed there by paramedics.
Investigators followed a blood trail from where he was found a few blocks north to the corner of King and Bethune streets, where officers found and arrested two suspects – a man and a woman. The man was charged and the woman was released.
Atchison and Townson knew each other and the weapon believed to have been used in the incident was recovered, but city police have offered no further details.
A memorial was later set up outside the home of the father of three and grandfather of one.