The trial of a Moncton resident facing double murder charges has been postponed until next week, as revealed to the jury members on Thursday. Justice Cameron Gunn, the presiding judge, informed the jury of a legal complication that had emerged. Janson Bryan Baker’s trial commenced last Saturday in Moncton’s Court of King’s Bench after the jury selection process. Baker has entered a plea of not guilty to the accusations of first-degree murder.
The Crown delivered its opening statement on Tuesday, followed by the initial witness testimony. Due to inclement weather, the trial was adjourned until Thursday for the testimony of the second witness. However, the jury was delayed for about an hour on Thursday before being informed by Gunn that he needed to discuss a matter with the lawyers privately.
Proceedings that occur in court in the absence of the jury are subject to a standard publication ban and cannot be disclosed. During the jury’s presence in the courtroom, Crown prosecutor James McConnell presented an agreed statement of facts. This statement, agreed upon by Baker, obviates the need for further evidence or witness statements to corroborate the mentioned details.
According to the statement, the deceased individuals are Bernard Saulnier and Rose-Marie Saulnier, who passed away in Dieppe around September 7, 2019. It was also mentioned that an autopsy was conducted in Saint John on September 9 and 10, 2019, by Dr. Ken Obenson, a forensic pathologist. Following the reading of the statement, the judge informed the jury that proceedings would resume on Monday morning, expressing optimism despite the slow start.
The trial is anticipated to span a duration of three months.