Crash charges adjourned for another month
West Chezzetcook man accused of impaired driving causing bodily harm
Impaired-driving charges against a man whose car allegedly struck a motorcycle in West Chezzetcook last September, seriously injuring both riders, have been adjourned for another month while his lawyer awaits the disclosure of evidence.
John Walter Mannette, 62, of West Chezzetcook faces four charges: two counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm and two counts of causing bodily harm by having a blood alcohol level above the legal limit of .08.
Lawyer Steve Degen appeared in Dartmouth provincial court by phone Monday on behalf of Mannette.
Brittany Warwick, whose left leg was so badly damaged in the collision that it had to be amputated above the knee, attended the proceeding in a wheelchair.
Degen told the court he’s still waiting for a “fair bit” of disclosure, including Warwick’s medical records, the accident reconstruction report, some photos and some radio communications between police officers.
He said the police communications could result in a motion alleging Mannette’s charter rights were violated.
“There’s a still a lot of disclosure missing, and that’s where things are at right now,” Degen said.
Prosecutor Greg Morris said the Crown has the medical records, which consist of between 4,000 and 5,000 pages.
“It’s taking some time to vet them,” Morris said of the medical documents. “They’ll be disclosed within two weeks.”
He said he will provide the photos to the defence at the same time and expects to receive the accident reconstruction report within the next week or two.
Morris said he would speak to Degen about the radio communications after court.
Judge Alanna Murphy scheduled the charges to return to court March 27 for election and plea.
The collision happened on the evening of Sept. 3 on Highway 207. Warwick was on the back of fiancé Anthony Walsh’s Harley-davidson when an oncoming Toyota Yaris came into their lane and clipped the motorcycle.
The Toyota did not stop at the crash scene. Mannette was arrested later that evening at his home after allegedly calling 911 to say he wanted to speak to police.
According to information filed by police to obtain a search warrant, Mannette provided two breath samples at the Cole Harbour RCMP detachment that were both more than twice the legal limit.
Mannette’s charges were first in court in November. Court records reveal he has three previous convictions for impaired driving, from 1991, 1994 and 2004.