Summer standoff suspect denies charges
Andrew Jim Roberts, 39, of Maugerville, accused of assault, firearms allegations
A Maugerville man arrested after a standoff that shut down a neighbourhood on Fredericton’s north side for six hours this summer is headed to trial on assault and firearms charges.
Andrew Jim Roberts, 39, of Copper Head Lane, appeared in Fredericton provincial court by video from jail Tuesday to elect mode of trial and enter pleas.
He’s accused of assaulting Jessica LaPointe; threatening her; possessing a sawed-off, 12-gauge, pump-action shotgun and a black CO2 revolver handgun for the purpose of committing an offence; possessing a prohibited weapon (the shotgun) without a licence; possessing it without a licence; possessing the shotgun with readily accessible ammo; possessing the firearms while prohibited by a court order; and storing the shotgun improperly.
The charges all allege events in Fredericton on Aug. 31.
Defence lawyer Wanda Severns said her client was electing to be tried in provincial court and pleading not guilty to all counts.
“I think the trial will at least be a day, maybe longer,” said prosecutor Rebecca Butler.
Judge Scott Brittain set the file over to Dec. 14 for a case-management conference to determine if the issues to be explored at trial could be narrowed.
A trial date will be set at that time as well.
The judge remanded Roberts again Monday pending the conclusion of the case.
Roberts was arrested after a six-hour standoff with Fredericton Police Force officers in a Marysville neighbourhood Aug. 31.
Numerous city police officers with firearms drawn descended on the intersection of Crockett Street and Pettigrove Crescent that morning, and the area was locked down for several hours.
The police force advised days later the incident was prompted by a report of an armed suspect inside a home in the northside neighbourhood.
In a news release, police said after six hours, the suspect was arrested without incident.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.