A judge has dismissed an application for a publication ban in the second-degree murder trial of a Glace Bay man accused of murdering two women.
Thomas Ted Barrett is charged with killing 21-year-old Brett Elizabeth MacKinnon, who disappeared from her Glace Bay apartment in June 2006. Her skeletal remains were found in November 2008 near a nature trail in the town.
Barrett’s lawyer argued the publication ban was necessary to prevent potential jurors from being influenced before 39-year-old Barrett faces another murder trial in September.
He is also charged with second-degree murder in the death of 21-year-old Laura Catherine Jessome, whose body was found inside a hockey bag, floating on the Mira River near Marion Bridge in May 2012.
Justice Robin Gogan ruled there is some risk in terms of Barrett having a fair trial, but that the evidence fails to establish that it is a real and substantial risk.
Gogan’s ruling means the media will be able to fully report details from Barrett’s trial, which is set to begin Jan. 18.
