Man elects Supreme Court trial on crash charges
Police have modified the charges against a man whose car allegedly struck a motorcycle in West Chezzetcook last September, seriously injuring both riders.
John Walter Mannette, 62, of West Chezzetcook now faces two counts of causing bodily harm by driving with a blood alcohol level above the legal limit of .08 and two counts of failing to stop after being involved in an accident that caused bodily harm.
Mannette had originally been charged with two counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm and two counts of causing bodily harm by having a blood alcohol level over the legal limit.
Lawyer Steve Degen appeared in Dartmouth provincial court for Mannette on Wednesday.
Degen said his client was electing to be tried in Nova Scotia Supreme Court by a judge alone and wished to have a preliminary inquiry in provincial court.
Judge Bronwyn Duffy booked a one-day preliminary hearing for Oct. 9 of this year.
The inquiry will determine if there is sufficient evidence for Mannette to be sent on to trial on the two drunk-driving charges. It will also be an opportunity for the defence to assess the strength of the Crown’s evidence.
The other two charges are not eligible for an inquiry.
The crash happened on the evening of Sept. 3, 2023, on Highway 207.
Brittany Warwick was on the back of fiancé Anthony Walsh’s Harley-davidson when an oncoming Toyota Yaris crossed into their lane and clipped the motorcycle.
Warwick’s left leg was so badly damaged that it had to be amputated above the knee. Walsh suffered a broken leg and shattered ankle and foot.
The Toyota did not stop at the scene of the collision. 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 over twice the legal limit.
Mannette has three previous convictions for impaired driving, from 1991, 1994 and 2004. The charges from this incident were first in court in November.