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.
Tip of a possible impaired driver
Channel-Port aux Basques RCMP and Traffic Services West took three vehicles off the road and laid charges during a traffic initiative late last week.
At this week’s public meeting, Corner Brook city hall approved another change order for the Deep Gulch Culvert Replacement Project at a cost of over $91K.
Health Minister says there ia "disturbing information on how money was spent on agency nurses"
RCMP stop woman with expired license on Route 430 and find crack cocaine
