Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Prest Found Dead In His Cell

Saint John City police confirm the inmate who died at the jail on the Old Black River Road is 39 year old Adam Lee Steven Prest.

He was found unresponsive in his cell about 1:20 yesterday.


The Major Crime Unit has determined there is no foul play involved in his death and no criminal offences occurred.

Prest was charged last Wednesday with 2nd degree murder in Rothesay in the death of his common law partner 33 year old Tanya Shand.

UNBSJ Professor Researching Domestic Violence Risk Assessment Tool

When domestic violence escalates, the results can be tragic. But what if police could predict when to intervene? 

That's the idea behind a family violence risk-assessment tool being researched by UNB Saint John professor Dr. Mary Ann Campbell. She tells Tide News making arrests isn't the entire solution, because putting someone in handcuffs doesn't mean they won't become violent again.
 

Campbell says police could use the tool to refer high risk families to a special unit that could follow up and provide services and support.

She tells us there's currently a lot of discussion about the right risk tool to use in Saint John but, generally, people seem to be leaning towards a willingness to adopt one.

Snook's Former Friend Upset At Seeing Him In Court Today

Donnie Snook's former friend was in court today and didn't like what he heard.

Darrell Bastarache tells us he was upset when he saw Snook in court today.

He says didn't look to remorseful and he thinks that is pretty sad.

Bastarache says parent's have to be cautious and don't fall for every little nice gesture.


He says the kids trusted them and no one ever saw this coming. 


Bastarache's own children were part of the children's charities that Snook was involved in.

Crown Prosecutor Offers More Details On Snook Proceedings

With Donnie Snook pleading guilty to all 46 charges against him, Crown prosecutor Kelly Lee-Lamrock pointing out at least the victims will be spared the ordeal of a long trial.

Lee-Lamrock tells Tide News the magnitude of the Donnie Snook case is the most severe she has ever dealt with in terms of the number of victims.

Snook also faces an extortion charge, which Lamrock explained has to do with acquiring pictures through the use of threats. The benefit of the guilty plea is that the families will be spared the ordeal of a long trial.

New Brunswick Federation Of Labour Had New President

The wolves are at the door everyday.......That's the situation facing all too many workers according to the new President of the Provincial Federation of Labour. 

Patrick Colford of Miramichi tells Tide News the clock is being turned back with a huge gap between the rich and the rest of us. He says there are workers with full-time jobs who are having a tough time providing for their families. Despite that, he's optimistic about the future, believing the Harper Government will pay a price for its reforms to Employment Insurance. 

Colford is a member of the Canadian Union of Public Employees and ran federally for the NDP. Ron Oldfield of the Saint John and District Labour Council also ran for the Presidency but lost out to Colford.

Grow-Op Dismantled In Beaver Harbour

Officers seizing marijuana plants and drug paraphernalia as they dismantled a grow-op in a home near St. George late Monday night. 

The RCMP arrested a 33-year-old man who will be in court at a later date. The investigation is ongoing, and the Mounties say it's possible a second person will face charges.

Snook Crimes Go Back 12 Years And Involve Boys As Young As 5

Former Saint John Common councillor Donnie Snook pleading guilty in court to 46 charges involving 17 children.
 

The charges involving 17 boys between January 2001 until Snook's arrest in January of this year.

Most of the victims were from the Saint John area and range in age from 5 years old to 15 years old at the time of the offenses.

They include 13 charges of touching a child for a sexual purpose, 9 charges of producing child pornography and 2 charges of sexual assault.

The 41 year old Snook is due back in court on June 25th at 9:30am to set a date for sentencing.

Anyone with further info on this case is asked to contact Saint John City police or Crime Stoppers. 


For City police call  1-506-648-3333 or contact NB Crime Stoppers online at crimenb.ca at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).