P.E.I. man has attempted murder, arson charges adjourned again
A P.E.I. man charged with attempted murder and arson has received another lengthy adjournment in provincial court at the request of his defence lawyer.
The accused – Jesse Douglas Paquet, 30 – had his matters called on May 2 in provincial court in Charlottetown. Paquet is currently being held in custody at the Provincial Correctional Centre.
Paquet's legal-aid lawyer Chris van Ouwerkerk told the court that on April 30, he received additional disclosure and needed time to review the documentation with his client. Van Ouwerkerk requested an adjournment and suggested three or four weeks. Chief Judge Jeff Lantz granted the request and adjourned the matters for four weeks.
Van Ouwerkerk took over Paquet's matters from lawyer Justin Milne, who has since left Legal Aid.
CHARGED IN NOVEMBER
According to information previously released by Charlottetown Police Services, Paquet was arrested and charged with attempted murder and arson on Nov. 6, 2023, for allegedly setting a tent on fire while someone was inside it near the Park Street shelter. Police identified a suspect after reviewing video surveillance footage from the area.
Paquet had a total of 12 charges on the May 2 court docket. In addition to the Nov. 6 incident, Paquet is charged with theft under $5,000 on July 24, mischief for causing property damage on Sept. 13 and uttering threats on Sept. 19, along with four breach of probation and three breach of a recognizance allegations.
Paquet first appeared in provincial court on the arson and attempted murder charges on Nov. 7. Since then, the matters were adjourned to Nov. 9, then for five weeks to Dec. 14, to Feb. 8 (eight weeks), to March 21 (six weeks) and again for six weeks to May 2.
On May 2, Paquet had been in custody by consent for just under six months (179 days) since his Nov. 6 arrest. His matters are scheduled to be back in provincial court on May 30. Paquet has yet to enter pleas on the matters.