Crown seeks banishment for man in Moose Factory assault case

Sentencing is delayed for a northern Ontario man accused in two physical altercations after an apparent plea bargain with the Crown goes sideways at a hearing Monday.

Sentencing is delayed for a northern Ontario man accused in two physical altercations after an apparent plea bargain with the Crown goes sideways at a hearing Monday.

Shaquille Sutherland, of Moose Factory, was charged with numerous serious offences in connection with two assaults involving two different people in the small community on the James Bay Coast on April 10, 2022.

In addition to being charged with an attempt to commit murder with a firearm and threatening death or bodily harm, he is also charged with two counts each of aggravated assault, assault with a weapon or bodily harm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and failing to comply with probation orders.

Sutherland pleaded guilty to one count of breaching probation in a Cochrane courtroom Monday and in exchange, the Crown agreed to drop the remaining nine charges.

The hybrid hearing was held in person and over video conference, which became popular over the pandemic.

Justice Robin Tremblay, Crown attorney Paul Guevremont and Simon Kim working on behalf of defence attorney Alison Craig all appeared via Zoom while the accused was in the courtroom.

Tremblay found Sutherland guilty of the single charge he pled guilty to.