THUNDER BAY - Two men from Toronto who were charged with first-degree murder in connection to a March 2020 homicide on May Street are no longer before the court on the charges.
Terrell Williams was arrested on June 23, 2020 in Toronto, while Trayvon Stewart was arrested on the same day in Timmins. Both men were 19-years-old at the time of their arrest.
Williams and Stewart were charged with first-degree murder in connection to the death of 28-year-old Adrian Kadeem Drysdale on March 23, 2020.
Police were first called to a residential address on the 500 block of North May Street at approximately 2:30 a.m. on March 23 after receiving reports of a disturbance.
A man was located in the area and observed to have suffered serious injuries consistent with an assault. The man was identified as Drysdale and transported by Superior North EMS to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre where he later died from his injuries.
According to the Thunder Bay Police, both Williams and Stewart left the city of Thunder Bay shortly after March 23, 2020. Police also said Williams and Stewart were known to the victim and Drysdale’s death was likely drug-related.
In July 2020, Williams underwent a psychological evaluation and was found fit to stand trial.
A preliminary hearing for Williams and Stewart was held between Aug. 30 and Sept. 10, 2021 in Thunder Bay.
Following the preliminary hearing, on Oct. 28, Stewart was discharged and placed on a common law peace bond, while Williams was committed to stand trial.
However, in a Thunder Bay Courtroom on Monday, Crown Attorney Andrew Sadler informed the court that while there was enough evidence to clear committal for Williams to stand trial, that threshold was low.
The Crown asked the Thunder Bay Police Service to conduct a further investigation to see if additional information was available.
Sadler said the police will continue with their investigation but that there is not enough evidence to secure a conviction against Williams.
Sadler requested a stay of the charges, which was granted by Justice Bonnie Warkentin. Williams was in custody at the Central East Correctional Centre and he will be now be released.
According to the Criminal Code of Canada, the Crown can recommence proceedings on the charges anytime within a period of one year after the stay has been granted.