Sharbot Lake Criminal Court – April 29
Of the four cases before the court, the long-anticipated trial of Gypsy (59) and Jessica (39) Villas fraud case was the most contentious, leading to Judge Griffin conducting an interview of sorts with Jessica Villas regarding her estranged husband’s condition and prognosis for the future.
As reported last month, Mr. Villas was set to undergo major surgery to remove a large tumour in late April.
Jessica Villas’ lawyer, Mr. May, appeared as agent for Mr. Villas’ lawyer. He reported that the operation took place on April 25 and Mr. Villas remains in hospital and will be there for some time. Mr. May also said that he understands that Judge Wright had indicated he would like to see the case against Jessica Villas proceed on its own if Mr. Villas is not going to be able to undergo a trial in the near future for health reasons. This makes his job a bit more complicated, he said, since Jessica Villas intends to call Gypsy Villas as a defence witness.
Judge Griffin said that since the case got underway back in November of 2017, Mr. Villas has applied for legal aide, changed lawyers more than once, forcing numerous delays.
“I’ve developed a certain degree of skepticism regarding Gypsy, and his lawyer did not see fit to attend today. Frankly I’m not sure about the truth of the whole story.”
Jessica Villas stepped forward and Judge Griffin asked her what she knows about her estranged husband’s condition. She said that she was at the Ottawa hospital all day on the 25th of April, as Gypsy underwent a 10-hour operation to remove an abdominal tumour. She said the operation resulted in the removal of the tumour and Mr. Villa’s kidney, but other tumours remained. She also outlined some of the details about treatments he has undergone over the past year and a half.
Given the detailed explanation, Judge Griffin said “it appears that Mr. Villas may never be able to deal with this, but the matter needs to proceed nonetheless.
“One complainant in the case, a Mr. Hill, appears to be out $74,801, and another, Laverne Ferguson, $14,900, and we need to make sure something happens.”
The trial against Jessica Villas is set to commence on June 23.
Charge withdrawn – A charge of Threaten Death/bodily harm against Patricia Crawford, 48, has been withdrawn as the result of Crawford entering into a Peace Bond, that included a commitment to stay away from Wilda Crawford and Darlene McCullough. The Peace Bond is in effect for one year.
Trial date changed – Patrick Sundstrum, facing 10 charges, including production of marijuana charges, was set for trial on July 22nd. The police officer who is the principle crown witness cannot attend on that date, so September 23 is the new trial date. July 23 remains as a reporting date in the case. The Crown indicated that the case may still be resolved before trial, as negotiations continue.
Ongoing – Randy Vankoughnett, 24, is facing 2 charges of Break and Enter. He has engaged lawyer and is facing other charges in Kingston, for which he has a legal aide certificate. He intends to amend his legal aide certificate to include the Sharbot Lake charges, and the case was deferred until May 13.
“I know that is soon, but I don’t want to wait until June,” said Judge Griffin. “It shouldn’t be complicated to amend the certificate, but these days legal aide is … I won’t say any more.”
