Bedford man waives right to preliminary inquiry

A young Bedford man charged in a fatal car-pedestrian collision in Dartmouth last February has waived his right to a preliminary inquiry.

An inquiry was supposed to get underway in Dartmouth provincial court Tuesday to determine if there was sufficient evidence for Matthew Gerald Kennedy, 25, to stand trial on a charge of criminal negligence causing death.

The defence was not contesting committal to trial on a charge of failing to stop at the scene of a fatal accident.

On Tuesday, Kennedy was arraigned on an additional charge of obstructing police.

After defence lawyer Joel Pink announced his client was forgoing the preliminary inquiry, Judge Alanna Murphy ordered Kennedy to appear in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Halifax next month.

Kennedy has elected to be tried by a judge alone, but Pink has told the court he wishes to schedule a conference to discuss a possible resolution.

Gary Rogers, 57, died Feb. 22 after he was struck by a vehicle while crossing Pleasant Street at about 5:50 a.m.

Kennedy was a radio and television student at the Nova Scotia Community College’s Ivany campus in Dartmouth at the time of the incident. He was apprehended that afternoon in Halifax after police received a tip about a vehicle.

Kennedy remains free on a $1,500 recognizance that prohibits him from occupying the driver’s seat of any vehicle and from applying for a passport.

He must remain in Nova Scotia, live at a residence on

Stoneridge Court in Bedford and observe an 11 p.m.- 6 a.m. curfew unless he’s at work.