Witness-intimidation case won't go to trial
Michael G. Burden, 75, of Fredericton, had faced count of trying to provoke fear in justice-system participant, but pleaded guilty to lesser, included threat charge instead
A trial for a Fredericton man accused of trying to intimidate someone involved in a court case won’t proceed next year because the defendant admitted Thursday to a lesser, included charge.
Michael G. Burden, 75, of Barton Crescent, elected last month to be tried in provincial court and pleaded not guilty to a Nov. 13 count of threatening violence against a justice-system participant - namely, Virgil Arbeau - with intent to provoke a state of fear in an effort to impede the administration of justice.
His trial was scheduled for Jan. 28, but the case was back in Fredericton provincial court Thursday.
Defence lawyer Edward Derrah said he’d asked for the case to be brought forward because a resolution had been reached.