L. Shore

This is a preliminary inquiry decision concerning the first-degree murder of Dady Junior Jean on November 4, 2015.

Four defendants were charged: Dominique P. Chrétien, Johnnie-Dean Locey-Derochie, Candy L. Locey, and Todd S. Turner.

The Crown sought committal of all four on first-degree murder.

The court examined whether there was sufficient evidence to commit each defendant to trial on first-degree murder, considering the elements of planning and deliberation.

The court found that the cumulative circumstantial evidence, including motive, opportunity, communications, procurement of a firearm, and coordinated actions, supported reasonable inferences that all four defendants knew of and participated in a planned and deliberate murder.

All four defendants were committed to trial on first-degree murder.

At a preliminary inquiry, two accused were jointly charged with weapons offences, possession of proceeds of crime, and possession of cannabis for trafficking purposes.

The Crown withdrew charges for trafficking and proceeds of crime.

The accused Lacroix conceded sufficient evidence for committal on remaining charges.

The accused Adatia challenged committal on all charges except possession of 26.3 grams of marijuana found in plain view.

The court found that circumstantial evidence regarding a firearm and brass knuckles found in a bedroom drawer and closet was insufficient to establish knowledge and control by Adatia.

The court held that mere proximity of her passport to the firearm did not reasonably support an inference of knowledge or control.

Adatia was committed only on the plain view marijuana possession charge.