Calvin Burns-Smith, 31, appeared in court to set trial dates for two charges of making threats to cause harm on April 5 and April 17, 2025. The trial is scheduled for February 4 and 5 at 9:30 a.m., and Burns-Smith remains in police custody on these charges. He pleaded not guilty and the trial was rescheduled upon his lawyer’s request.
Additionally, Burns-Smith faces a murder trial set for May related to the death of Sarah Teakles, a 26-year-old mother of two. Teakles was found deceased in Maces Bay on April 17. Burns-Smith is charged with second-degree murder and tampering with human remains. The trial for these charges is set to commence on May 3.
Initially charged with manslaughter, Burns-Smith opted for a jury trial last July. The charge was later upgraded to second-degree murder, leading to a direct indictment by the Crown. During a recent pre-trial conference, Burns-Smith elected to have a judge-alone trial, with the Crown’s approval. Another pre-trial conference for the murder charge is anticipated in early September.