Tyler Noel's preliminary inquiry in Baylee Wylie death begins in Moncton
Publication ban on evidence presented at hearing that will determine if Noel will be tried for murder, arson
The preliminary inquiry for a Moncton man accused of murdering 18-year-old Baylee Wylie in December and setting a dwelling on fire started on Monday in Moncton provincial court.
Tyler Dominique Noel, 19, is charged with first-degree murder and arson.
The inquiry will determine if there's enough evidence to proceed to a trial. Five days have been set aside.
Publication ban
Judge Jacques Desjardins has imposed a publication ban on any evidence presented. The ban includes members of the media using social media.
The body of Wylie was discovered in a burned apartment on Sumac Street on Dec. 17. RCMP have described Wylie's death as extremely violent, but have not released any other details.
On Monday morning, he requested a pen and paper so he could take notes as he followed the court proceedings from the prisoner's box.
The courtroom was about three-quarters full. Wylie's mother, Amanda Wylie, was among those present.
The Crown prosecutors handling the hearing are Annie St. Jacques and Eric Lalonde.
Legal aid lawyers Sylvain Pelletier and Martin Goguen are representing Noel.
6 others face charges
Noel, Marissa Shephard, 20, and Devin Morningstar, 18, are all charged with first-degree murder and arson in connection with Wylie's death.
Shephard, who was arrested on March 1, has been deemed fit to stand trial. She remains in custody and is scheduled to return to court on June 3.
Morningstar, who previously waived his right to a preliminary inquiry, is scheduled to start trial starting on Oct. 18. Eight weeks have been set aside. He also remains in custody and is scheduled to return to court on May 25.
Two men who were arrested with Noel — Bradley Bonnell, 20, and Zachary Holden, 19 — are accused of assisting him to evade police. They are charged with being accessories to murder after the fact.
Bonnell, who has pleaded not guilty to that and other charges, has elected to be tried by judge and jury.
Holden is scheduled to return to court on May 27.
Krystal Dawn Toole, 32, and Stephen Nagle, 22, were also both charged with being an accessory after the fact to the murder of Wylie by allegedly assisting Shephard to evade police.
Toole was ordered last week to stand trial. She has elected to be tried by a judge without a jury. A trial date will be set on June 6.
Nagle, who is the father of Shephard's young son, changed his plea to guilty on April 25 and was sentenced to nine months in jail and one year of probation.
With files from Kate Letterick