A man and woman facing a long list of charges including incest, sexual assault and making child pornography, have elected to have their case transferred to the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Pleas could be entered as early as next month
Ryan Cooke · CBC News
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WARNING: This article contains information about sexual abuse allegations.
A man and woman facing a long list of charges including incest, sexual assault and making child pornography, have elected to have their case transferred to the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The couple — who cannot be named due to publication bans in place to protect the identities of the children involved — have chosen to have their cases tried by judge alone, without a jury.
They made their election during a brief appearance at provincial court in St. John's on Friday.
The man was present by video from a correctional facility. He's represented by lawyer Kia Andersen. His female co-accused — also in custody — was not present, but was instead represented by her lawyers Jeff Brace and Matthew Brown.
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The couple will have an arraignment date at the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador in St. John's, where their charges will be read aloud and they will be asked to enter a plea. That could happen as early as the first week of September.
The woman had a two-day bail hearing in June, parts of which were closed to the public and the media as the Crown prepared to play graphic videos of the alleged offences. Judge Harold Porter denied her request for bail.
The couple is also facing two counts each of sexual interference, householder permitting sexual activity, corrupting children and invitation to sexual touching. The woman has two additional charges of exposing herself to a person under the age of 16.
The man — who has consented to remain in pre-trial custody — has an additional charge of bestiality for an alleged offence involving a dog.
If you’re in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911. For support in your area, you can look for crisis lines and local services via the Ending Sexual Violence Association of Canada database.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ryan Cooke is a justice affairs reporter based in St. John's. He can be reached at ryan.cooke@cbc.ca.
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