Preliminary hearing for three suspects charged in Canada Day murder begins

THUNDER BAY – Three suspects charged with murder in a 2014 Canada Day assault that led to the death of a 52-year-old man saw a preliminary hearing start on Monday.

The hearing for Carl Rae, Becky Mamakwa and Kyle Stoney, who are all facing a charge of second-degree murder in the death of Christopher Adams, is expected to last all week and could see as many as 20 witnesses take the stand at the Thunder Bay Courthouse.

Adams was found badly beaten outside city hall in the early morning hours of July 1, 2014. He was rushed to hospital where he died on July 8.

Rae and Mamakwa were arrested shortly after the attack and were originally charged with aggravated assault. Those charges were elevated to second-degree murder a couple of months later.

Police had previously said they were looking for as many as four suspects in connection with the case, with robbery as a possible motive. Stoney was arrested and charged in November.

A publication ban has been placed on all evidence presented during the preliminary hearing.

None of the charges have been proven in court.