Court sets date for first-degree murder trial
A trial date has been set for a Whitehorse man charged with first-degree murder.
A trial date has been set for a Whitehorse man charged with first-degree murder.
Darryl Sheepway, 38, will stand trial in Yukon Supreme Court in Whitehorse beginning Nov. 6.
Sheepway is facing a murder charge in relation to the killing of Christopher Brisson.
The 25-year-old had been reported missing for three days before his body was found near Miles Canyon on Sept. 1, 2015.
Sheepway appeared in court via video Tuesday afternoon from the Whitehorse Correctional Centre as the date for his judge and jury trial was determined.
He is being represented by defence lawyers Lynn MacDiarmid and Norah Mooney.
MacDiarmid said in court March 28 that Sheepway is “prepared to take responsibility and plead guilty to manslaughter.”
But the Crown will not accept a plea to a lesser charge.
MacDiarmid also said there is “very little dispute” over the facts in the case.
She said the defence is seeking an expert opinion from Dr. Shabehram Lohrasbe on Sheepway’s state of mind persuant to a defence of intoxication.
That could raise questions about Sheepway’s capacity to have specific intent.
Sheepway is also facing 10 unrelated charges of robbery, which have been waived from Ontario.
The charges stem from an alleged crime spree in November 2015 involving robberies and attempted robberies at a string of gas bars, convenience stories, and restaurants in Norfolk County, Brant County, Brantford and Woodstock.
Sheepway has not yet entered pleas to the 10 charges.
The defence plans to have the robbery charges dealt with by judge alone following the conclusion of the murder trial.
But deputy Supreme Court Justice John Menzies from Manitoba expressed concern in court Tuesday about delays.
“I am not a fan of just putting things over because they tend to get lost,” he said.
In July 2016, the Supreme Court of Canada set strict limits for trial lengths.
That has resulted in lawyers across the country seeking to suspend more than 800 criminal cases due to unreasonable delay.
The parties will discuss the timing for the case during the next in-chambers session on May 9.
Comments (4)
Up 4 Down 0
Timmy on Apr 10, 2017 at 3:07 pm
@roy
Most often it is two things in my experience in the justice system in other provinces.
Mainly it is finding court time that is available. It can be difficult to find open spans in a specific court as murder trials generally demand a few weeks straight. So it can be sometime down the road until that time can be found.
Also with murder trials even though facts are straight forward or whatever. There can be a lot of facts and evidence to go over for both sides. That doesn't a day. There is a lot of planning that goes into a trial.
Other issues that complicate things is finding juries if needed. The accused can be sent on mental assessments etc.
Scheduling can be a nightmare.
Up 9 Down 0
Roger on Apr 10, 2017 at 3:04 pm
@just sayin
What exactly did Trudeau do that made it that way? Which bill did he personally draft and push through the house and senate that caused the issue you describe?
Up 12 Down 11
Just Say'in on Apr 6, 2017 at 7:15 pm
Trudeau just made it so if it isn't done in a year they walk. Even for murder. So all this will take is a few well timed delays due to switching Lawyers or someone not being up to speed and Voila you walk. Nice.
Up 29 Down 5
Roy on Apr 5, 2017 at 5:22 pm
If "there is 'very little dispute' over the facts in the case" why was the trial date set for November?? Why not next month or something sooner than 7 months from now? I have never understood why it takes the court so long to get rolling...