Hotchen denied interim release

Crown argued that 77 prior convictions show man on trial for drug, firearm charges should remain in custody

Aaron Hotchen, who's been on trial for drug and firearm charges the past three weeks, has been denied interim release while he awaits a verdict.

The release, which defence counsel Marc Crarer said was “essentially house arrest,” would have allowed him to reside with his sister, who testified as a defence witness Friday afternoon.

Crown prosecutor Jeremy Newton, in opposing the release, said Hotchen has 77 criminal convictions in his adult life, including two breaches of conditions since he was temporarily released from custody in late 2016.

“I think his criminal record is quite clear as to what person Mr. Hotchen has been,” Newton said, adding that, if convicted, Hotchen could face more than a decade behind bars. “It is a remarkably serious offence.”

Crarer argued Hotchen’s time in jail has “provided a lot of time for reflection” and that he’s been sober since around the time of his arrest.

The accused has been in remand on these charges for a total of 563 days, Crarer added.

Hotchen was arrested the night of Oct. 22, 2016, after police executed a search warrant on a rural residence near Seven Persons he was staying on, seizing methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, an unknown white powder, sawed-off shotgun, ammunition and cash.

Crystal Karl, Hotchen’s sister, testified she went to the property the next day at the request of its owner, Ken Munro, to repair its fence, in addition to picking up her bother’s dogs.

“We intended to lock up the house. No more coming and going with these people,” she said, referring to the other people on the property the night in question, who the defence alleges the drugs seized belonged to.

Karl said she saw one of these individuals enter, go from car to car in a scrap yard on the property, taking something from a few vehicles and putting the objects in his pants, which she testified she saw him do three times.

“It was a straight path,” she testified. “He knew where he was going.”

Under cross-examination, Karl acknowledged she didn’t see anything in his hands.

Karl said she never saw Hotchen use meth, but admitted to smoking cannabis with, and sometimes purchasing it from, him.

“Sorry, kid,” she said to her brother in the dock.

Oral closing arguments will be heard March 6, followed by written submissions.