Another delay in Veitch murder case
Court is waiting on medical report
The legal case of accused murderer Graham Veitch has been postponed again, while the court continues to wait for a medical report defence lawyer Mark Gruchy says will “dramatically influence the course of this matter.”
Veitch, 19, appeared in Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court Friday morning. His last few court appearances have been postponed pending the completion of the report by a medical expert.
Gruchy told the court he expects to have the report within the next couple of weeks. Veitch will make his next court appearance Jan. 15.
Veitch is expected to plead not criminally responsible to charges of first-degree murder, assault with a weapon, assaulting a police officer, theft of a motor vehicle, and failing to stop for police in connection with the death of 55-yearold David Collins a year ago.
Police and emergency personnel were called to a home on Cadigan’s Road in Logy Bay-middle Cove-outer Cove around 7 p.m. on Dec. 18, 2016, where Collins was found gravely injured. He later died in hospital.
Veitch is also alleged to have assaulted his mother and brother with a hammer, though they weren’t injured. One of those charges has since been withdrawn.
Veitch allegedly stole Collins’ car and fled, but was located by police about four hours later in Outer Cove. He
reportedly rammed a police cruiser while attempting to escape.
Collins, a native of Placentia, was a well-known pharmacist and had been in a relationship with Veitch’s mother.
Veitch has appeared distant during his recent court appearances, keeping his head down and moving very slowly. Gruchy has said Veitch is unwell and has been having a “difficult time in prison in a complex way,” noting the correctional system struggles to deal with mental-health issues.