Judge irked over drug suspects’ release
Kyle MacKenzie Ingraham, 28, of Fredericton, and Katie Jaclyn Stewart, 40, of Geary, were supposed to have bail hearings Monday, but they were released on conditions
A Fredericton provincial court judge blasted the Crown on Monday for agreeing to the release of two drug-trafficking suspects on what she suggested were lax conditions.
Kyle MacKenzie Ingraham, 28, of Capitol Manor in Fredericton, and Katie Jaclyn Stewart, 40, of Colburne Drive in Geary, were remanded last week for bail hearings scheduled for Monday.
They face April 12 charges of possession of meth and cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a stolen Honda Civic belonging to Joel White, and careless storage of shotgun shells.
Stewart is also accused of possessing Dilaudid for the purpose of trafficking, and Ingraham faces additional counts of possessing fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking and possessing less than $5,000 in cash, alleged to be the proceeds of crime.
Furthermore, Ingraham also has unrelated charges of obstructing a city police officer and breaching a probation order, alleging March 5 events.
When the pair first appeared in court by telephone April 13, they begged the presiding judge to be released, but were told once the Crown objected to their release, the court had no choice but to hold them for bail hearings.
But when it came time for those separate hearings Monday, prosecutor Gwynne Hearn said the Crown had changed its position and was consenting to the suspects’ release on conditions.
Among those conditions, she suggested, would be no contact with one another and the owner of the Civic, no alcohol or drugs, and a curfew of 11 p.m.-6 a.m.
Judge Mary Jane Richards was taken aback.
“Why is this curfew for 11 at night for someone accused of drug dealing?” she asked during Ingraham’s proceeding.
The judge noted the Crown maintained its objection to the release of another defendant Monday who was detained for allegedly shoplifting at Costco, while Ingraham and Stewart, who were facing more serious charges, were being cut loose.
The shoplifting suspect in question had a far lengthier criminal record than the drug-trafficking suspects.
Once the prosecution withdraws its objection to a defendant’s release and he or she agrees to conditions, a judge has no choice but to grant a release order.
Richards did so.
Among the other conditions she imposed on Stewart and Ingraham were to allow police compliance checks at their homes during curfew hours, and to attend court as directed.
That includes their next court appearances, set for May 8 for election of mode of trial and pleas.
You can contact Don MacPherson at ftonindependent@gmail.com.
Who's on first?