|
 Read comments
 Leave comment
 Share on Facebook
 Printable Version
 Larger text
|
|
|
Canada-wide warrant issued for Lamb
by Corey LeBlanc coreyleblanc@thecasket.ca
|
|
Tuesday afternoon a Canada-wide warrant was issued for Robert Harris Lamb, 20, of Howe Street in Dartmouth. He has been charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Jonathan Beaton, 25, of Southside Harbour during a disturbance New Year's Day morning at a College Street rental apartment. (Contributed photo)
|
|
[Editor's Note: Late Tuesday afternoon, a provincial RCMP release indicated a Canada-wide warrant was granted and issued for Robert Harris Lamb. The 20-year-old is described as a white male, approximately 5'9" and 145 pounds. Lamb has blond hair and blue eyes.
Police are asking anyone with information on Lamb's whereabouts to contact any RCMP detachment or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.]
Police announced Monday afternoon they have laid a second-degree murder charge in connection with a New Year’s Day morning incident on College Street in Antigonish, which resulted in the stabbing death of a Southside Harbour lobster fisherman.
Robert Harris Lamb, 20, of Howe Street in Dartmouth is accused in the killing of Jonathan Robert “Jon” Beaton.
Lamb has not been taken into custody.
“We are still searching for him. The hunt is on,” Antigonish RCMP Staff/Sgt. Tony Perry said Tuesday morning.
When the charges were announced, police said they were petitioning the Antigonish provincial court for a warrant for Lamb’s arrest.
The hearing was adjourned until Tuesday.
The Crown is seeking a publication ban on the contents of the arrest warrant. A decision was expected Tuesday on whether or not the information can be made public.
At press time, it was not known if the warrant was issued or the publication ban granted. A decision, if any, was not expected until Tuesday afternoon.
In Monday’s press release, police said the charge against Lamb came after an “extensive investigation.”
Although Lamb can be arrested without it, Perry said the warrant assists in the search for him. Perry agreed a warrant provides “better access” for police if they receive information regarding Lamb’s whereabouts.
Referring to the Criminal Code of Canada, Perry outlined the difference between first and second degree murder. Essentially, first degree murder has to include pre-meditation or someone’s death is caused when an offence is being carried out.
Depending on the circumstances, Perry added the charge in other cases is second degree murder.
“In this situation, it was a major disturbance at a party and things went off the rails,” Perry said, noting absence of pre-meditation.
That “major disturbance,” as it has been characterized by police, resulted in Beaton’s stabbing shortly after midnight on New Year’s Day at a local rental apartment. The 25-year-old died a few hours later at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital.
Beaton was one of five people injured. Four others were taken to hospital for treatment. Three were released a short time later, while one person spent several days in hospital with more serious injuries.
Lamb, who is wanted on at least five other warrants, including breaching release conditions, failing to attend court and obstructing police, is the fourth person facing charges related to the incident.
Jullian Frederick Chittick, 24, of Halifax has been charged with five weapons-related offences, along with one uttering threats, one assault with a weapon and one breech of recognizance offence.
He was arrested Jan. 18 in Halifax.
Chittick appeared in an Antigonish courtroom Monday. He waived his preliminary hearing, as a result moving to trial. Chittick, who elected trial by Supreme Court judge alone, will appear in Supreme Court February 10. At that time, trials dates are expected to be set.
Chittick has been remained until that court appearance.
On the day Chittick was arrested, police also took an 18-year-old Dartmouth man into custody in the Halifax area. He has been released on an undertaking for assault and is scheduled to appear in Antigonish provincial court March 31.
He has not been charged.
Shortly after the Jan. 1 disturbance, the RCMP arrested Christopher David Fordham, 19, a resident of Antigonish. He has been charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault causing bodily harm and one count of aggravated assault.
Initially, Fordham was charged with one count of attempted murder. The second charge was added during his bail hearing Jan. 12.
Fordham, who remains in the Antigonish Correctional Centre, was scheduled to make his next court appearance Tuesday afternoon for election and plea.
Chittick has been ordered to not have direct or indirect contact with nine people, including Fordham.
Fordham also cannot have any direct or indirect contact with several people.
Perry said anyone who can provide information related to the incident, including help in locating Lamb, would be “greatly appreciated.”
If anyone has information, they can contact any RCMP office, including the Antigonish detachment at 863-6500, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.crimestoppers.ns.ca
>> Return to articles main
|
| Recent Member Comments (0 total) |
|
|
|
|
