A trial for a man charged in a violent home invasion in Unity was adjourned again.
Drayden Clinton, 25, of Macklin, was scheduled to stand trial in North Battleford Provincial Court July 17. It was also previously scheduled for June 22, 23 and 24 but was adjourned to July.
The pandemic has caused countless delays because of reduced court services. Court cases must be heard within 18 months after charges are laid or they risk being dismissed after the Supreme Court ruled in 2016 that provincial cases must be heard within a certain time frame.
Police arrested Clinton in January 2020 after raiding his home. He is charged in connection to a Unity home invasion and a break-in at a home in Macklin. He is charged with unlawful confinement, assault with a weapon, uttering death threats, carrying weapon for a dangerous purpose, wearing a mask in the commission of an offence, possessing ammunition while prohibited, possessing brass knuckles while prohibited, possessing Mace while prohibited, possession of property obtained by crime, break and enter and commit robbery, commit bank card fraud over $5,000 and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.
Clinton’s co-accused Tenielle Heitt, 31, of Unity, is charged with unlawful confinement, break and enter, possession of property obtained by crime, uttering threats, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Heitt had an appearance in North Battleford Provincial Court July 20 to elect how she wants to be tried. She was initially scheduled to appear in Unity Circuit Court but it remains closed due to the pandemic.
Heitt entered a not guilty plea and elected to be tried in provincial court. Her trial is scheduled for Dec. 14 in North Battleford Provincial Court.
Clinton is scheduled to appear in North Battleford Provincial Court on Sept. 14 to speak to the charges connected to the break-in at a home in Macklin. Clinton’s trial on the charges connected to the Unity home invasion is re-scheduled to Sept. 14.
