Fifteen people appeared in court Friday to face charges including attempted murder, drug trafficking and firearms offences after a year-long police operation aimed at ending a Halifax drug war.
Aaron Marriott, 18; Jeremy Leblanc, 26; Shaun Smith, 23; and Matthew Murphy, 24, are charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder over a shooting at the IWK children’s hospital on Nov. 18.
Leblanc and Daniel Borden, 24, are also charged with attempted murder over the Dec. 4 Cowie Hill shooting of Jimmy Melvin, Jr. Borden was already in custody, and police are seeking another suspect.
All of the accused are alleged to be part of one half of a drug war behind a recent rash of violence in Halifax. On Thursday, police wound up their year-long Operation Intrude by seizing drugs, money and weapons from several homes.
Three of the 15 accused were released on sureties; the remainder were returned to jail until the case moves along Monday morning. Among them was a family: Torina Lewis, 35, was freed, but her husband Paul Cater, 48, was sent back down, as was his son Kyle, 18.
There was prolonged debate about an order barring the accused from communicating with each other, as all were being held in a small cell in the courthouse.
“They can keep their mouths shut,” said Judge Bill Digby.
The courtroom was packed for much of the day. Friends of the accused filled the back two rows, shouting, “Keep your chin up,” as they filed in one after the other.
Facing charges
Matthew Murphy, 24: attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, drug trafficking
Shaun Smith, 23: attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, drug trafficking
Jeremy LeBlanc, 26: two counts attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, drug trafficking
Aaron Marriott, 18: attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, drug trafficking
Daniel Borden, 24: accessory after the fact in Melvin shooting
Ian MacIsaac, 43: drug trafficking
Terrence Priest, 24: drug trafficking
Shawn Shea, 29: drug trafficking, break and enter
Matthew Glavine, 22: Released on bail, due back in court Feb. 16
Timothy Stewart, 22: breaching court order
Dawn Bremner, 43: Released on bail, due back in court Feb. 16
Troy Shanks, 27: drug trafficking
Paul Cater, 48: charges not available
Kyle Cater, 18: charges not available
Torina Lewis, 35: Released on bail, due back in court Monday
