Blyth serving three years for drug crimes
Sentencing hearing in December had been subject to publication ban due to outstanding first-degree murder trial, but staying of those charges allows reporting on narcotics case
A Grand Lake-area woman who saw a murder charge against her stayed Friday is serving a prison term for drug-trafficking crimes, imposed months ago but subject to a publication ban until now.
However, a police error that scuttled the murder case might affect her drug conviction, says her defence counsel.
Erica Lea Ann Blyth, 42, of Wasson Road in Newcastle Creek near Minto, and Devon Mark Hill Hood, 27, formerly of Veterans Drive in Fredericton, appeared in person and in custody at the Burton Courthouse on Dec. 3, 2024, for a sentencing hearing in the Court of King’s Bench.
The pair had been jointly charged with June 21, 2023, counts of possessing crystal meth, cocaine and hydromorphone (Dilaudid) for the purpose of trafficking; possessing a loaded, prohibited firearm (a sawed-off shotgun) without a licence; possessing unloaded prohibited firearms (two other sawed-off shotguns) with readily accessible ammunition; possessing seven firearms for a purpose dangerous to the public peace; possessing non-restricted firearms without a licence; and illegal storage of those weapons.
Earlier that fall, Blyth pleaded guilty to the drug offences, while Hood admitted to the firearms crimes.