Second day of a murder trial in Corner Brook delayed due to lack of sheriff's officers

Justice Minister Helen Conway-Ottenheimer says a department official has been in contact with the Office of the High Sheriff and there will be sufficient sheriff's officers in Corner Brook for that trial. 

The first degree murder trial for Dean Penney started on Wednesday in Corner Brook Provincial court but was delayed the next day due to an issue with court staffing. He is charged in the 2016 murder of his estranged wife Jennifer Hillier-Penney in St. Anthony. In the House of Assembly on Thursday, the leader of the Opposition, John Hogan, questioned the Justice Minister after that trial had to be stopped due to a lack of court staff and the Judge directly asked the Justice Minister to take this matter at hand and ensure there are enough officers to handle this trial. He asked about a timeline regarding solutions to this issue

Justice Minister Helen Conway-Ottenheimer assured residents this will be dealt with although she could not comment on the case. She says a department official has been in contact with the Office of the High Sheriff and there will be sufficient sheriff's officers in Corner Brook for that trial. 

Hogan asked if there is an increased risk in NL that criminal trials will be dismissed. Conway-Ottenheimer says there have been recent meetings on issues in the court systems and she is optimistic by the findings with some initiatives underway.

Meanwhile, Dean Penney’s trail is on the court docket for the rest of this month.