Fredericton chief says police are making progress since collapse of two murder trials

The Chief of Police in Fredericton, Gary Forward, has announced that the police force has made significant strides since the collapse of two murder trials last year due to an error. During a municipal public safety committee meeting, Forward revealed that the force had taken several steps in response to the recommendations of Ontario lawyer Ian D. Scott.

These steps include hiring new staff, introducing training programs, and implementing improved oversight measures. Scott conducted a review of the cases and submitted his report late last year, stating that an "insurmountable evidentiary issue" led to the termination of both trials. The report contained few details due to the Canada Evidence Act, which confines the disclosure of certain information.

While Forward mentioned that the force has implemented ten of Scott's recommendations, he added that they are on track to complete all nineteen by next June. The collapse of the trials, which occurred before any conviction could take place, resulted in the unsolved murders of Corey Christopher Markey, who was shot in 2021, and Brandon Patrick Donelan, whose body was found in 2022.

Both victims were connected to Fredericton, and the Fredericton Police Force led the investigation into Markey's death while the RCMP handled Donelan's case. Scott's report emphasized that the error by the municipal police force led to the abandonment of both cases. Forward announced that the force is now discussing the possibility of forming a provincial investigative unit for homicides, as suggested by Scott's recommendations. He also mentioned that he will provide another update to the city early next year.