City man denies witness-intimidation charge

Michael G. Burden, 75, asks provincial court for publication ban to keep his name out of media reports, but judge says law doesn’t provide for such protection for defendants

A Fredericton man headed to trial on an allegation he threatened someone involved in the criminal-justice system sought a court order Tuesday to keep his name from being reported in the news.

Michael G. Burden, 75, of Barton Crescent, appeared in Fredericton provincial court Tuesday, scheduled to elect mode of trial and enter a plea to a charge of threatening violence against Virgil Arbeau Nov. 13 with intent to provoke a state of fear in an effort to impede the administration of justice.