Accused N.W.T. sex offender opts for trial without jury
A convicted sex offender who faces charges of sexually assaulting two children in Hay River, N.W.T., has chosen to be tried by a territorial judge alone, with no jury.
25/11/2008 7:33:09 PM
CBC News
John Murray Melanson, who also faces one count of possessing child pornography, appeared in territorial court in Yellowknife Tuesday morning.
Melanson’s legal aid lawyer was not present at Tuesday’s hearing, so no date for a preliminary hearing could be set at that time.
Crown prosecutor Michael Himmelman told the court that a preliminary hearing could be lengthy, considering there would be testimony from as many as 10 Crown witnesses, some of whom are children.
The court proceedings might require a special sitting of the court in Hay River, Himmelman said.
Melanson, who went by the nickname "Fester," moved to Hay River in the summer of 2006, but fled the community in January 2007 amid rumours that child pornography had been found on his personal computer.
He was arrested in Toronto a month later for violating a court order. Toronto police have told CBC News that Melanson has an extensive criminal record that includes convictions for various sex-related charges.
Melanson was convicted on the court order charge and was sentenced to time served. He was then escorted to Yellowknife, where he remains in custody. He is due back in court on Dec. 16.
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