Minto man denies attempted-murder charge
Rodney Michael Dickinson, 53, also faces other counts alleging firearms offences
A Minto man accused of trying to kill someone with a shotgun blast this summer has denied an attempted-murder charge and numerous other alleged crimes.
Rodney Michael Dickinson, 53, of Bridge Street in Minto, now part of the amalgamated community of Grand Lake, appeared in Fredericton provincial court by telephone from jail Wednesday for election of mode of trial and pleas on numerous serious charges.
Defence lawyer Spencer MacInnis said her client was opting to be tried in provincial court and pleading not guilty to all counts.
Dickinson is accused of attempting to murder Paul Belliveau with a shotgun; discharging that shotgun at Belliveau with intent to wound, maim or disfigure him; using the firearm carelessly; possessing it for the purpose of committing an offence; and discharging it at a residence on Pleasant Drive in Minto knowing it was occupied.
He’s also charged with impaired driving, driving while prohibited by a court order, possessing the shotgun without a licence and occupying a motor vehicle in which he knew there was a firearm.
All charges arose as a result of a July 23 shooting incident that led the RCMP to issue an Alert Ready emergency notification directing Grand Lake-area residents to lock their doors and remain in their homes. That advisory remained in effect for about two hours that afternoon.
Because the case is expected to require at least a full day of court time, Judge Mary Jane Richards set the matter over to Nov. 6 for a case-management conference. It’s expected the court will schedule Dickinson’s trial at that time.
Dickinson has been in custody since his arrest. He had a bail hearing scheduled for Aug. 9, but he postponed it indefinitely while maintaining his right to request it at a later time.
The Criminal Code of Canada notes that a conviction for attempted murder with a firearm carries a mandatory minimum prison term of four years, and a maximum sentence of life behind bars.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.