Indignity charges stayed in Deweese death

Three people were charged after body found last summer in North Dumfries

KITCHENER — The prosecution is not proceeding on charges laid after a body was found in a farmer’s field last summer.

Charges of committing an indignity to a body against Desiree McNeill, Jason Cesar and Darren McCluskey have been stayed.

All three are from Waterloo Region.

The body of Christopher Deweese, 32, of Kitchener was found in a farmer’s field last July 12 in the area of Old Beverly Road and Village Road in North Dumfries Township, east of Cambridge. The investigation revealed Deweese did not die where he was found.

No one was charged with his death.

“It was an indignity case relating to an allegation that his body was moved after he died,” Waterloo Region Crown Attorney Mark Poland said.

The charges were stayed last month in open court, Poland said.

Earlier, the prosecution was required to be in court for “the determination of an issue,” Poland said.

“That proceeding was not a public proceeding, and it was not attended by the accused parties or their lawyers. Being bound by the law, we are not at liberty to discuss the issue associated with that application, the ruling, the evidence, or the materials that were relied upon.”

As a result of the ruling, “we were obliged to request a stay of the prosecution,” he said.

“While I would like to discuss the matter further, and provide a more complete assessment to you, as a matter of law, I am not permitted to.”

Defence lawyer Ryan Heighton represented McNeill, one of the people who had been charged.

“The Crown did not disclose a great deal of information as to why (the charge was stayed), so we don’t really have a complete picture,” he said.

“I wish I knew more so I could share.”

Deweese had two sons. “Christopher’s life would seem too short to many, but those who were touched by him understood that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives,” his obituary says.

“His smile would bring joy and touch one’s soul and his big brown eyes would melt your heart.”