Not-guilty plea
Two local men accused of trying to shoot and kill a man two years ago have pleaded not guilty to all charges against them, including attempted murder.
Two local men accused of trying to shoot and kill a man two years ago have pleaded not guilty to all charges against them, including attempted murder.
Chris Shaw, 31, from Conception Bay South, and Jason Earl Marsh, 36, of St. John’s, entered the pleas at Newfoundland Supreme Court in St. John’s Thursday.
Shaw is not in custody, having been released on bail last year. He sat in the court’s spectators gallery for most of the proceedings. Marsh is still in custody and sat in the prisoner’s dock.
Crown prosecutor Lisa Stead told Justice William Goodridge that the case is “a very large file and involves a lot of disclosure.” However, she said the Crown is anxious to keep the case moving and suggested setting trial dates, since court time is quickly being filled up for the spring.
The men have elected to be tried by judge and jury. The trial is expected to last five weeks.
But both defence lawyers indicated they would rather set the case over for the next arraignment date, Dec. 1.
Marsh’s lawyer Arnold Hussey said the men waived their preliminary hearing and there were changes in the charges less than a month ago. They had originally been charged with two counts each of attempted murder. However, one of those counts was recently withdrawn by the Crown.
He said they need time to discuss issues in the case with his client. Hussey said he would be out of the province most of October.
Shaw’s lawyer Kevin Baker agreed with the postponement, pointing out that he had only been retained in July. He also said that there will be a number of charter applications to deal with first.
Goodridge agreed to reschedule the case for Dec. 1, but encouraged lawyers to get work done before that time regarding the applications.
Shaw and Marsh were arrested August 2014 as a result of an 11-month investigation by the RNC. They were located in a vehicle in the Howley Estates area.
One shooting took place on Sept. 9, 2013, at a house on Boyle Street in the west end of St. John’s. The 21-year-old male victim in that case was treated at hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
On Nov. 11, 2013, a 30-year-old man was shot and wounded on Williams Heights in the St. John’s neighbourhood of Kilbride.
The attempted murder charge that was withdrawn last month was in connection with the Boyle Street shooting.
However, Shaw and Marsh still face charges of discharging a firearm with intent, aggravated assault and assault with a weapon in regards to that incident.
They also face weapons charges, including discharging a firearm, possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unlawfully possessing a firearm, possessing a prohibited or restricted weapon and pointing a firearm.
Shaw and Marsh also faces other weapons charges and several counts of breaching court orders.