By Tina Comeau
THE VANGUARD
NovaNewsNow.com
The court didn’t make a whole lot of headway on Feb. 7 when nine people facing charges in connection with an investigation into alleged mortgage fraud were back before the judge.
But the court hopes to make more progress when the matters show up again on the docket on March 5.
During this next court date it is hoped that preliminary inquiry court dates can be confirmed for the cases that will be going that route.
The matter that will require the lengthiest period of court time at the preliminary inquiry stage involves charges against Raymond Michael Nelson, who used to work in the Yarmouth real estate industry. Nelson is facing 96 charges in total, which includes
32 counts of forgery, 32 counts of uttering a forged document and 32 counts of fraud over $5,000.
He has elected to stand trial before a Supreme Court judge and jury. Neither Nelson or his lawyer Elizabth Buckle were present in court, instead lawyer Phil Star appeared on their behalf to enter the court election.
The court was told it is anticipated the preliminary inquiry could require three weeks of court time. Three weeks in August are being looked at as potential dates, but this will only be confirmed next month.
It has already been stated during a prior court appearance that Nelson’s trial could run six weeks.
If the other matters before the court go to a preliminary inquiry, the Crown indicated they will require significantly less time – perhaps only one or two days each.
Judge Robert Prince noted there were some free blocks of time coming up September and October that could accommodate scheduling the matters close together since many parties involved in these cases – the Crown, defence lawyers and RCMP investigators – work and reside elsewhere in the province.
Last June, following a lengthy and complex investigation carried out by the RCMP’s commercial crime unit, 147 charges in total were laid against 11 people.
The RCMP’s investigation alleges that fraudulent documents were being used to obtain mortgages. The RCMP say they believe the value of this alleged mortgage fraud exceeded $6 million.
All of the matters on the Feb. 7 court docket were adjourned to March 5, this included:
•Mark Maurice Nelson who is facing four charges of fraud over $5,000.
•Derald Anthony Jacquard who faces two charges of fraud over $5,000.
•James William Bartlett who is facing four counts of fraud over $5,000.
•Doris Bartlett who faces one count of obstructing a police officer by allegedly providing a false statement.
•Jerry Edmond Doucette who is facing two counts of fraud over $5,000.
•Matthew William White who is facing eight counts of fraud over $5,000.
•Mark Shay who faces one count of fraud over $5,000.
•Douglas Mitchell Chetwynd, who is charged with two counts of fraud over $5,000.
Two other people charged in connection with the investigation were not required in court on Feb. 7. Wade Doucette, who is charged with 25 counts of fraud over $5,000, is scheduled for a preliminary inquiry on April 11 and 12.
The court is still looking to confirm a judge and jury trial date for Genesta Doucette who is charged with six counts of fraud over $5,000. Her trial is expected to take two weeks and recently in court it was stated the earliest available jury term might only be in May 2013. The court is exploring whether a request can be made for a special jury sitting so the trial could be held earlier.
