Moncton man denies torching structure in Kingsclear
Brett Edward Francis, 42, set to go to trial next month on arson charge, but admitted to other charges Monday
A former Fredericton resident will stand trial next month on an allegation he set fire to a shed on the Bilijk First Nation late last year.
Brett Edward Francis, 42, formerly of Fredericton but now of High Street in Moncton, appeared in Fredericton provincial court by telephone from jail Monday to answer to three charges.
He elected to be tried in provincial court and pleaded not guilty to a Dec. 8 count of intentionally or recklessly causing damage by fire to a shed belonging to Ryan Francis on Apartment Avenue at Bilijk (Kingsclear) First Nation.
However, Francis pleaded guilty to a Dec. 8 charge of resisting RCMP Const. Jeff Erb and a Feb. 1 count of breaching a release order by failing to attend court as required.
Judge Lucie Mathurin scheduled his arson trial for April 26, and set over the other two matters for sentencing until after the arson case is resolved.
Francis will remain in custody until the case concludes.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.