Accused likely to plead not guilty, says lawyer
FREDERICTON — The Fredericton man accused of killing four people, including two police officers, is likely to plead not guilty, his lawyer says.
Lawyer Nathan Gorham made the comment after Matthew Vincent Raymond made a brief court appearance Monday morning.
Raymond said nothing as he faced a Fredericton judge on four counts of murder in the deaths of constables Sara Burns and Robb Costello, Donnie Robichaud and Bobbie Lee Wright.
Raymond, 48, wore an orange jail jumpsuit and leg shackles. He arrived shoeless and could be seen putting on a pair before leaving the sheriff ’s van for court.
He looked down for much of the morning’s events.
Regional Sheriff George Oram cautioned everyone in the packed courtroom against outbursts. Family members of the victims didn’t speak to the media.
Raymond moved slowly and tentatively as he was led in and out of the court.
Gorham said his client is in fairly poor physical condition, but he is receiving medical treatment and is out of hospital.
The defence presented provincial court Judge Julian Dickson with evidence but the judge imposed a publication ban on its contents.
Gorham said they were unable to proceed Monday because lawyers are still awaiting release of the findings of the police investigation.
“I expect that his plea will be not guilty and that we’ll be requesting a preliminary inquiry, but we can’t make that decision until after I’ve received the disclosure,” Gorham said.
Crown prosecutor Darlene Blunston said she had been told not to expect the first portion of that disclosure until the first week of October.
Dickson adjourned the case until Sept. 24.
The four people were gunned down Aug. 10 outside an apartment complex. The incident ended after police shot the alleged gunman in the abdomen, according to court documents.