Manslaughter plea in death of Saint John teen Gavin Adams delayed
CBC News | Posted: January 6, 2015 3:13 PM | Last Updated: January 6, 2015
Richard Gerald James Valiquette's lawyer requests more time, adjourned until Feb. 25
A man charged with manslaughter and criminal negligence in the drug-related death of a Saint John teenager more than a year ago has had his case adjourned again without plea.
Richard Gerald James Valiquette, 26, appeared in provincial court in Saint John this morning with legal aid lawyer Brian Ferguson.
Ferguson requested the matter be set over for a month to allow more time for disclosure before Valiquette elects how he wants to be tried and enters his pleas.
Valiquette, who is not in custody, is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 25 to face several charges in connection with the death of Gavin Adams.
The body of the 17-year-old Saint John High School student was found by a search and rescue crew on Dec. 16, 2013, in a parking lot in the city's north end, after a two-day search.
Three days later, police issued a warning about a dangerous hallucinogenic drug, known as 25i, which is often confused with LSD.
The drug, which has been making its way to the streets for the past two years, has been linked to several deaths in the United States. Although it is illegal south of the border, it has not yet been deemed illegal in Canada.
Valiquette is accused of giving Adams a substance not meant for human consumption, the court previously heard.
He's also accused of unlawfully producing, possessing and trafficking N,N-Dimethyltryptamine, also known as DMT, and possession of marijuana.
Members of the Adams family were present in court on Tuesday, but declined to comment.
Valiquette was charged on Nov. 25, 2014, but his case was adjourned at that time to allow him to get a lawyer.