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Brett Ledoux would have been 25 on the day of his death. (Facebook)
Court proceedings

P.A. murder trial takes five month break following conclusion of witness testimony

Feb 12, 2021 | 4:00 PM

After nine days of hearing witness testimony, the Marissa Bird murder trial at Prince Albert Court of Queen’s Bench, is taking a long break.

On Friday, Madame Justice Heather MacMillan-Brown granted a five month adjournment to July 23. Essentially the reason comes to simple scheduling and when both lawyers and the justice are available to get together again. Closing arguments are expected to happen on that day, but it’s not clear if a verdict will follow.

Bird, 31, is facing a charge of first degree murder in the August 2017 death of Brett Ledoux. The remains of the 25-year-old were found inside a home in the 800 block of 17th St. W.

According to witness testimony, Ledoux went to the house voluntarily to receive a “minute” – a gang related term for a beating someone may receive as a form of punishment but does not involve murder.

And while it’s not clear specifically what Ledoux may have done to receive the minute, witnesses have also testified he may have kissed a senior gang member’s girlfriend. The names of all the non-police witnesses remain protected under a publication ban that was ordered last week due to the gang related nature of the incident and concerns related to intimidation or reprisal.

The three co-accused all entered guilty pleas at separate hearings last year.

Lenny Daniels received an eight year sentence after pleading guilty to manslaughter. Boden Umpherville and William Chaboyer received three year sentences for their respective roles. The two men pleaded guilty to charges of assault and participation in a criminal organization.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

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