A Nova Scotia man accused of murdering his neighbour and firing a gun at police officers has had his case put over until October.
Ernie “Junior” Ross Duggan was supposed to make his first court appearance on Thursday morning at Truro Provincial Court.
However, the 49-year-old remains at the QEII hospital in Halifax recovering from injuries he sustained in a shootout with police at a cemetery Monday morning in Tatamagouche, N.S.
READ MORE: Man wounded in police shooting in Tatamagouche, N.S. after woman found dead in home
Duggan’s case was adjourned until Oct. 3 to allow his lawyer time to speak with his client and to wait until the accused is able to attend proceedings.
At this time, he’s considered to be in stable condition.
“I really don’t have any up-to-date information other than the indication that in all likelihood he will be out of the hospital,” said Alison Brown, Crown Attorney.
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It’s alleged Duggan killed his neighbour, Susie Butlin, 58, at her home on Clarks Road in Bayhead, N.S. on Sunday. The Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) has said the woman was shot.
Court documents obtained by Global News show that Butlin had recently applied for a peace bond against Duggan, alleging sexual assault and vandalism.
In addition to the charge of first-degree murder relating to Butlin’s death, Duggan also is accused of attempted murder after allegedly firing a gun at police.
SiRT is investigating the police-involved shooting, while RCMP continue to piece together the events surrounding Butlin’s death.
READ: N.S. man wounded in police-involved shooting charged with first-degree murder of 58-year-old woman
Although Duggan remains in hospital, he has been remanded in custody.
“He’s in remand so he’s under the sheriff’s security,” said Brown.
If he wants to apply for bail, Duggan will have to make an application to Nova Scotia Supreme Court. The Crown says it’s too early to speculate whether or not they would oppose bail if he applied for it.
“We’re at the very early stages. We have to review what evidence we have thus far, look at any proposed plan of release so I can’t comment on that at this time,” said Brown.
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