Testimony halts in teacher shooting trial to determine what accused may admit

The second day of an attempted murder trial in Moncton was quickly adjourned so lawyers could discuss what the accused may admit, something that could shave weeks off the trial. 

Janson Bryan Baker, 27, faces 16 charges, including attempting to murder Christopher Leger with a sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun outside Riverview High School on Jan. 5, 2021. 

The other charges include attempting to rob Leger of a gym bag, attempting to rob Joshua Hebb and various alleged firearms offences.

The trial by judge alone in Moncton's Court of King's Bench began Monday with testimony from four witnesses, including Leger and Hebb. The trial is scheduled to last up to four weeks. 

However, Baker's lawyer Alex Pate told Justice Richard Petrie on Monday the defence was prepared to make "significant" admissions. 

Crown prosecutor Malika Levesque told the judge Tuesday that the sides discussed it further and were still working on an agreed statement of fact. That's a document that would outline the details an accused admits, which means witnesses wouldn't need to be called to testify about those aspects.

Levesque asked for an adjournment to allow the sides to continue to work on the document. 

"This is likely to save around three weeks of trial time," Pate said to the judge. 

After discussing that, the Crown entered several exhibits with approval of the defence. Those items included a 12-gauge shotgun, shotgun pellets, spent shotgun shells, a red bag and Baker's sneakers.

The trial is expected to resume Wednesday morning.

Leger was among those who testified Monday. He said he was walking away from the school shortly after 5 p.m. after coaching a basketball team practice with with his colleague, Joshua Hebb.

While walking near the school, a car pulled up beside them and the driver demanded they hand over their belongings. The driver was holding a gun through the open driver's-side window, Leger and Hebb testified. 

Leger said he thought he would be shot either way. He started to turn away and was then shot. 

Surveillance footage played in court showed the incident unfolding within about 10 seconds before the vehicle drove off, without any of the two men's belongings.  

Both Leger and Hebb identified Baker as the shooter.