From the Courts: Appeal for Reason

As reported in the Herald:

Bail bid upsets family of slain woman

By STEVE BRUCE Court Reporter
Thu. Feb 18 - 4:54 AMFamily and friends of a young Cole Harbour woman who was murdered in December 2007 are outraged that one of her alleged killers has applied for bail.

After spending more than 25 months on remand, Ashley Haley wants to be released under the province’s adult bail supervision program.

Haley, 22, appeared in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Halifax on Wednesday just long enough for her lawyer, Peter Planetta, to have her bail hearing put off until March 12.

About a dozen relatives and friends of murder victim Jennifer Horne attended the proceeding and expressed their feelings about Haley’s bail application in a prepared statement.

"We . . . find it incomprehensible that the court would even consider a bail application in this case," said Steve Andrews, Horne’s step-uncle, as he read the statement to reporters.

"Jennifer’s family and friends are shocked and outraged by (the adjournment). We feel that this is yet another delay tactic by the defendant in this never-ending series of court appearances.

"When the horrendous facts of this case are known, it will be obvious to all that today’s decision by the court has been a travesty."

Haley and her common-law partner, 39-year-old Desmond Maguire, are each charged with first-degree murder in the death of Horne.

The 20-year-old woman’s body was found Dec. 31, 2007, rolled up in a piece of carpet and stuffed in a closet at the apartment that Maguire and Haley shared on Lawrence Street in Dartmouth. Horne had been reported missing the day before, after she failed to show up for work at a Dartmouth seniors complex.

The couple were charged on Jan. 1, 2008, and have remained in custody. Their Supreme Court trial is scheduled for four weeks beginning June 7.

Planetta told the court Wednesday that he thinks his client will be eligible for the bail supervision program, which includes electronic monitoring and intensive supervision. The Crown will argue against Haley’s release.

"Although we feel betrayed, we continue to believe that justice will be served one day," Andrews said.

"We will continue to come to these proceedings, as we have 26 times over the past 25½ months, to represent Jennifer and to continue our fight.

"We want to thank the public for their continued support during this time of great suffering and trauma. Justice will be served. Jennifer’s memory will be with us always."