Jerek John England, 23, is a corporal in the reserves who was assisting with a basic training course in Moncton when he was arrested in June, the Canadian Armed Forces confirmed. “The member is currently relieved of duty and any comment on future administrative or disciplinary action would be speculative at this time,” Major Cameron Hillier, a spokesman for the 5th Canadian Division, said in an email to the CBC. “However, the Canadian Armed Forces will be monitoring this matter closely to ensure appropriate action is taken.” Jerek England, 23, was helping with a basic training class at the Moncton Garrison in June. He faces a charge of first-degree murder in connection with the death of 18-year-old Joedin Leger in April. (Shane Magee/CBC) England was the third person to be charged with first-degree murder in connection with the April 25 death of the 18-year-old. First degree murder is a premeditated and premeditated murder. There is no indication so far that his role with the military is related to the alleged crime. RCMP have not said what type of firearm was used in Leger’s death. The military relieved him of his duties in July, dating the action to his June 16 arrest, Hillier said. “The Canadian Armed Forces hold their members to a very high standard of conduct and performance – Canadians have a clear expectation that their armed forces will be disciplined while reflecting Canadian values and ethics.” Joedin Leger was shot in a duplex in a Moncton neighborhood. He was taken to hospital where he later died. (Albert County Funeral Home) The military spokesman said Jerek England has been a member of the main reserve since enlisting in September 2017 as an armored crewman. Reservists are mainly part-time military members who have other employment, working with the military on certain nights and weekends. Member of the 8th Reserve Armored Reconnaissance Regiment of the Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise’s) has no recorded overseas deployments. England assisted in the military’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic between March and April 2020. Hillier offered his condolences to Leger’s family. England is among the five charged jointly in an adult court. Because they are jointly accused, they will be tried together. His younger brother, 20-year-old Hunter Nash England, is also charged. The other three are Riley Robert Sheldon Phillips, 18, Hayden Joseph James LeBlanc, 18, and 24-year-old Nicholas Joseph James McAvoy. The sixth person was under the age of 18 at the time of the alleged crime. His case is being heard separately through juvenile court and he cannot be named.
Bail hearing scheduled
Jerek England’s defense attorney, James McConnell, filed an application in August seeking bail. A judge-imposed publication ban on the application documents means details of the application cannot be disclosed. The Court of King’s Bench docket shows a bail hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15 in Moncton. McConnell declined to comment Friday. England has been held at the Saint John Regional Correctional Center since being charged on June 17.
Preliminary inquiry could last a month: Crown
Last month, a Crown prosecutor told a provincial court judge that the preliminary investigation into the case would likely last a month. The hearing is held to determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. A defense lawyer for one of the defendants also told the judge that the Crown’s evidence disclosure in the case ran to hundreds of thousands of pages. The youth case will return to court on September 21 when a bail hearing may be scheduled. The five defendants in adult court are expected to reappear in provincial court on September 22 for a preliminary hearing to be scheduled. RCMP previously said police were called around 6:10 a.m. on April 25 for a report of shots fired at a two-story Logan Lane in Moncton’s north neighborhood. Leger had been shot and taken to hospital, where he later died. RCMP said another person was inside the home but was not injured. Police said they found a car pulled up to the house and four people got out and approached the house. Several shots were fired before the four got into a vehicle and fled the area, police said in a news release.
