Trial of alleged Fredericton shooter set for 8 weeks this autumn

By The Canadian Press

FREDERICTON — A Fredericton man accused of fatally shooting four people, including two police officers, in a killing spree last August will stand trial this fall.

Eight weeks have been set aside for the trial of Matthew Raymond, who made his first appearance in Court of Queens Bench Wednesday after earlier proceedings in provincial court.

Raymond is charged with the first-degree murders of Fredericton police constables Sara Burns and Robb Costello, and civilians Donnie Robichaud and Bobbie Lee Wright.

His trial has been set for Sept. 30.

Justice Fred Ferguson has scheduled a pretrial hearing with the lawyers next week.

He said Raymond won’t enter a plea until it can be done before a jury.

Ferguson said findings of an assessment to determine if Raymond can be found criminally responsible for what happened will remain sealed.

The 48-year-old Raymond was previously found fit to stand trial, although details of the arguments seeking the assessments are protected by a publication ban.

The Crown took the case to the Court of Queens Bench with a direct indictment, which means there will be no preliminary hearing.

Raymond is accused of firing a long gun from his apartment window, killing the two civilians as they loaded a car for a trip on Aug. 10. Police allege Raymond shot the two officers as they responded to the scene.

The Canadian Press

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