Yesterday,April 27,2015 as scheduled,Jean-Claude Savoie,former owner of Reptile Ocean in Campbellton,New Brunswick,Canada was served by the Campbellton Provincial Court a single charge of criminal negligence causing the deaths of Noah and Connor Barthe by an African rock python on Aug. 5,2013.
Mr. Savoie(now living in Montreal,Quebec,Canada) wasn’t present in court but represented by his lawyer Leslie Matchim who appeared before Judge Steven Hutchinson and elected trial by judge and jury in New Brunswick Court of Queen’s Bench.
A preliminary inquiry will then proceed and to be held from Nov. 24-27 this year so as to determine by that time if there’s enough evidence to further proceed to a trial. If the presiding judge by that time so determines it to be so, the case will be sent to the Court of Queen’s Bench.
No plea was entered because accdg. to Mr. Matchim, this is normal because the charge is an indictable offence where Mr. Savoie had the choice of being tried wither in provincial court by a judge or in the Court of Queen’s Bench with or without a jury. Accdg. also to Mr. Matchim,having the preliminary inquiry is optional but he decided to take it up. He said that Mr. Savoie wasn’t required to appear yesterday,being only a procedural appearance but will have to appear at the preliminary inquiry.
More updates to follow once available.
Josie
josiesvoice 