Trafficking suspect denies additional charges
Joseph Vernon Murphy, 45, of Fredericton, already awaiting trial on previous drug counts
A Fredericton man who was released on conditions late last year on drug-trafficking charges late last year has denied a new round of charges alleged to have been committed after he was sprung from custody.
Joseph Vernon Murphy, 45, of Woodstock Road, appeared in Fredericton provincial court by telephone from jail Monday, scheduled to elect mode of trial and enter pleas on several charges.
Defence lawyer T.J. Burke said his client was electing to be tried in provincial court and pleading not guilty to Feb. 20 counts of possessing meth for the purpose of trafficking, obstructing a police officer in the execution of his duty, possessing $5,245 in cash deemed to be the proceeds of crime and breaching a release order to remain within 300 feet of his residence at all times.