Drug-trafficking suspect needs new lawyer
Shelley Darlene Gosman, 37, of Fredericton, scolded for showing up late for court
A Fredericton woman accused of a serious cocaine-trafficking charge needs a new lawyer, as her previous counsel had to be removed from the record Monday due to a potential conflict.
Shelley Darlene Gosman, 37, of Doone Street, was scheduled to elect mode of trial and enter pleas Monday on a handful of charges.
She’s accused of possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possessing cash believed to be the proceeds of crime June 16.
Gosman also faces lesser June 13 charges of uttering a threat to Caitlyn Bault-Gallant to damage Budget Rent a Car property and damaging a 2023 Dodge Ram 1500 belonging to the car-rental business.
When Fredericton provincial court Judge Natalie LeBlanc called Gosman’s case Monday morning, the defendant wasn’t present, but her defence counsel - Legal Aid New Brunswick staff lawyer Angèle Normand - was.
However, Normand told court she was unable to continue as Gosman’s counsel, noting that a potential conflict of interest within her office had been identified.
She asked to be removed as counsel of record, noting that the legal aid commission would arrange for a new lawyer to be assigned to the defendant’s case.
LeBlanc granted Normand’s motion for removal.
Meanwhile, in light of Gosman’s non-attendance in court Monday, prosecutor Gwynne Hearn asked for a warrant to be issued for her arrest, and the judge obliged on that request as well.
A short time later, though, as the court continued with the morning pleas, Gosman arrived at the courtroom, after Normand had left.
When LeBlanc asked her why she was late, Gosman answered, “It took longer to walk here than I thought.”
The judge emphasized the importance of arriving to court on time, or in the alternative, to contact the court if one expects to be late. LeBlanc said an arrest warrant was ordered, but she vacated it given Gosman’s appearance, tardy as it was.
The court also explained to Gosman that Normand had been removed as her defence counsel. LeBlanc told her she needed to contact Legal Aid New Brunswick to learn when a new lawyer would be appointed and who that would be.
The judge adjourned the case to Jan. 2 to allow that process to unfold.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.