Amid beefed-up security, augmented by the city police canine unit, a preliminary hearing for thee men, charged in connection with an October 2014 shooting at a downtown residence, is underway at the Sault Ste. Marie courthouse.
Daved Nadon, Michael Bjornaa and Jonathon Thompson, who are in custody, face numerous charges, including counts stemming from the October 22 incident at 28-B Wellington St. E.
The preliminary inquiry, which will determine if there is enough evidence to go to trial, began Monday and is scheduled to continue all week
Ontario Court Justice John Condon imposed a publication ban that prohibits reporting any evidence heard during the hearing.
City police responded to a call about a shooting at the residence at 8:05 p.m. on October 22 and a man was transported to hospital with serious injuries.
On Nov. 8, police arrested Nadon and Bjornaa and charged them with attempt murder use of a firearm.
A month later, officers travelled to Thunder Bay where they charged Thompson in connection with the shooting.
Assistant Crown attorney Dana Peterson is prosecuting the case, which is being heard in the large second-floor courtroom.
Six officers from the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service emergency services unit are in the courtroom, while the canine unit is stationed in the hallway.
Jennifer Tremblay-Hall is Nadon's lawyer, while Don Orazietti represents Bjornaa and Bruce Willson is Thompson's defence counsel.
Previous SooToday coverage of this story:
Third male from Wellington Street Shooting in custody (update)
Two men charged in Wellington shooting
(PHOTO: A police cruiser sits in front of 28-B Wellington Street East in this October 23, 2014 file photo. Michael Purvis/SooToday)