Memo to accused: don’t be late for trial

SYDNEY — Accused who fail to show up in provincial court for their trials take heed as Judge Shane Russell will call your mother.

That was the message delivered Wednesday by Russell to accused Jordan Marcel Morrison, 26, of Sydney Mines but who now lives in Halifax.

Morrison was scheduled to stand trial that day on four counts of breaching court orders, two counts of assault, two counts of mischief and single counts of uttering a threat and possession of cocaine. The offences occurred in 2021 in Sydney and Point Aconi.

In calling the case to proceed, Russell was informed that Morrison had failed to show for the trial.

As is the court’s practice, an arrest warrant was issued for the accused and the judge excused and apologized for the delay to the witness, both civilian and police, who were summoned to appear for the trial.

Later, the court received a phone call from Morrison who sheepishly admitted he simply forgot about the date.

“I forgot about it. I thought it was later than today,” he told Russell.

Russell admonished Morrison for delaying the witnesses along with blowing away valuable court resources and time.

Russell asked Morrison what prompted him to call into the court.

“My mother called to remind me I had a court date,” he admitted.

“Do I need to call your mother to have her remind you of your court dates?” inquired the judge.

Morrison responded with a solemn, “no.”

Russell asked Morrison if he had a vehicle and Morrison said he did.

The judge said good and ordered the accused to appear before him Thursday to set a new trial date.

The accused told the judge that Friday would be a better day because that’s when he gets paid and could afford to put gas in his vehicle to drive the near five hours from Halifax to Sydney.

In the end, Russell ordered that Morrison appear before him Jan. 23 to set a new date and urged him not to make the same mistake again.

Some judges are taking a harder line when it comes to accused failing to show for trials, pleas and other judicial proceedings.

They repeatedly remind all accused of the importance of keeping such appointments as such delays impact on all other cases before the court.

The warrant for Morrison’s arrest was issued but is being held until Monday and should he fail to show before Russell, it will be released for arrest.