Minto murder trial set for summer 2024
Wade Thompson, 38, was arrested and charged four years after Michael Wagnies, 62, was found dead in his home
A Minto man accused of killing another member of the community five years ago will stand trial more than a year from now on a second-degree murder charge.
Wade Thompson, 38, of Main Street, appeared in person in custody in the Court of King’s Bench at the Burton Courthouse on Monday for motions so his judge and jury trial could be scheduled.
Justice Thomas Christie confirmed the 15-day trial was set to begin June 10, 2024, and that a five-day voir dire hearing would be held in February.
That hearing will be held to determine the admissibility of certain evidence in the case.
Thompson faces a charge of second-degree murder in the death of Michael Kenneth Wagnies, 62, alleged to have been committed between July 31 and Aug. 1, 2018.
“On Aug. 1, 2018, shortly before 10:15 a.m., the West District RCMP received a call to attend a residence on Centennial Drive in Minto,” the RCMP stated in a news release last fall.
“When police arrived, they found a 62-year-old man deceased inside of the home.”
The RCMP reported Thompson was arrested March 3, 2022, and he was charged with murder Nov. 17.
Between the time of the arrest and the laying of the second-degree murder count, Thompson was remanded on other, unrelated charges, the RCMP said.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.