Jean-Claude Savoie makes 1st court appearance in Barthe brothers' python deaths
Details about Campbellton Court of Queen's Bench hearing cannot be reported due to publication ban
The former owner of a Campbellton pet store, charged in connection with the deaths of two young brothers killed by an escaped python, appeared in court on Thursday.
Details about the Court of Queen's Bench hearing for Jean-Claude Savoie, 39, cannot be reported, due to a publication ban.
Savoie, who now lives in Montreal, is scheduled to stand trial on Oct. 31 on one count of criminal negligence causing the deaths of six-year-old Connor Barthe, and his four-year-old brother, Noah.
Savoie has stayed out of the public eye since then. He was noticeably absent throughout his preliminary inquiry last fall.
Thursday was his first court appearance in the matter. He entered with his defence team, led by Leslie Matchim.
Savoie did not look at the cameras following him and did not make any comment.
The paternal grandparents of Connor and Noah were in court for Thursday's hearing. They have attended every court date so far in the case.
The boys were killed in their sleep in Savoie's apartment, while at a sleepover with Savoie's son.
It is believed the snake, which was 4.3 metres long and weighed about 45 kilograms, escaped its enclosure in the apartment, got into the ventilation system, then fell through the ceiling of the room in which the Barthe brothers were sleeping.
The apartment was located above Savoie's Reptile Ocean pet store and zoo, which provincial officials have said was unlicensed.
Two weeks have been set aside for his judge and jury trial.
The maximum sentence for criminal negligence causing death is life imprisonment.
With files from Bridget Yard