THUNDER BAY - A decision expected to be handed down on Tuesday to determine whether or not Brayden Bushby will stand trial for second-degree murder in connection to the death of Barbara Kentner has been pushed back.
Justice Frank Valente, who presided over a five-day preliminary hearing that opened in September to determine if there was enough evidence to proceed to trial, said in a Thunder Bay courtroom on Tuesday he did not have a decision.
“These are not easy matters to deal with,” Valente said. “They are difficult.”
“There are a few matters the court is still considering,” Valente continued. “More time is necessary to do justice by the case.”
Valente added that he does not need much time and said he will hand down his judgment on Monday, Jan. 21.
Bushby’s attorney, George Joseph, and Crown prosecutor, Andrew Sadler, agreed to the new date.
Bushby, 20, was charged with second-degree murder for allegedly throwing a metal trailer hitch from a vehicle that struck Kentner in the abdomen on the night of Jan. 28, 2017 in the Cameron Street area. Kentner later died in hospital on July 4, 2017. She was 34-years-old.
Bushby was first charged with aggravated assault, however, following Kentner’s death and a review by Sadler and the Thunder Bay Police Service with the help of the Regional Coroners Office, the charge was upgraded to second-degree murder last November.
A Sunrise Ceremony was held in Paterson Park across from the Courthouse Tuesday morning for the family of Kentner.
Melissa Kentner, Barbara's sister, said she was hoping for the case against Bushby to move forward.
"I’m feeling kind of aggravated because I travelled all this way and I especially wanted to hear something today," she said outside of the courthouse.
Kentner added that the entire situation has been very stressful, especially for Barbara's daughter, who is still grieving the loss of her mother. But Kentner added that she has received a lot of support from her home community.
A publication ban is in place on all evidence presented.
Bushby has been out on bail since November, 2017.
