A man, Calvin Burns-Smith, appeared in court Tuesday to schedule trial dates for charges of making threats against a woman. The trial is set for two days in April 2025. Burns-Smith pleaded not guilty to the charges and will remain in police custody until the trial. Originally set for June, the trial date was postponed at the request of his lawyer.
In a separate case, Burns-Smith was arrested last year by RCMP in connection with the death of Sarah Teakles, a 26-year-old woman. Her body was discovered in Maces Bay, and Burns-Smith faces charges of second-degree murder and interference with human remains. The murder trial is scheduled to commence on May 3.
Previously charged with manslaughter, Burns-Smith opted for a jury trial, which was later upgraded to second-degree murder. A pre-trial conference last month revealed Burns-Smith’s decision to elect a trial before a judge alone, with the consent of the Crown prosecutor. Another pre-trial conference for the murder charge is anticipated in early September.