Shooting-related charges against Brandon Chafe and Thomas Barnes thrown out
Charges against Brandon Chafe, seen here, and Thomas Barnes in connection with a June 2022 shooting in the Goulds have been dropped. (Darrell Roberts/CBC)
Charges against two men in connection with a June 2022 shooting in the Goulds have been thrown out because it took too long for them to go to trial.
Brandon Chafe and Thomas Barnes were arrested following a shooting near Doyle's Road and Robert E. Howlett Memorial Drive.
A man was sent to hospital with serious injuries and gunshot wounds.
Chafe, who was out on bail at the time of the shooting, was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, robbery, threats, firearm offences and violating court orders.
Barnes, who was arrested three days after Chafe, had been charged with aggravated assault, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a vehicle and two counts of assault with a weapon.
Both of the men's lawyers have wanted the case to go to trial, but the deadline for action was Friday.
The charges were thrown out as a result of the 2016 Jordan ruling, which established a timeline to deal with matters before the court.
According to the Jordan ruling, a trial in provincial court must happen within 18 months of an arrest.
An accused can can apply to have their charges stayed if they can prove the delay wasn't their fault.
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