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Fitness hearing for accused Fredericton shooter and trial to be heard by one jury

FREDERICTON — A single jury will rule on the mental fitness of accused Fredericton shooter Matthew Raymond, and on a possible subsequent trial for his alleged crimes.

Justice Fred Ferguson of the Court of Queen’s Bench made the decision today.

Ferguson says the jury trial will be the first in the country to begin during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it will take place at the Fredericton Convention Centre to allow for physical distancing.

Raymond has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the killing of two civilians and two police officers on Aug. 10, 2018.

The Crown wants about a month between the two proceedings but the defence wants them to happen quicker.

Justice Ferguson says he’ll decide on that matter in a conference call with the lawyers on June 29.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 22, 2020.

News from © Canadian Press Enterprises Inc., 2020