Trial dates set for teen charged with stabbing at Bedford school

A teen accused of stabbing two staff members at his Bedford high school will face trial in Halifax juvenile court in March and April.

The identity of the 15-year-old boy is protected by the Juvenile Criminal Law Act.

He pleaded not guilty on June 15 to 11 charges of an incident at Charles P. Allen High School on March 20: two counts each of attempted murder, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and carrying a concealed weapon , and some counts of possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of a weapon knowing it was unauthorized, and mischief.

Dates for the boy’s trial were set on Tuesday, when attorneys Paul Sheppard and Anna Mancini appeared in juvenile court on his behalf.

Judge Elizabeth Buckle has scheduled the hearing for March 18-22 and April 8 and 9.

The judge also booked January 15-17 for a pair of defense preliminary motions.

Defense attorneys and crown attorney Terry Nickerson will return to court in September for an update on the defense’s disclosure of evidence and potential charter applications.

The boy was released on bail on June 28 after spending more than three months in custody at the Nova Scotia Youth Center in Waterville.

After hearing evidence and comments at a bail hearing, Judge Alan Tufts placed the teen under house arrest under the supervision of his parents, who promised $100,000 to secure his release. He is not allowed to own any weapons, have any contact with the two victims of the stabbings or be within 25 meters of the school.

The Halifax Regional Police Department responded to a gun call at CP Allen on March 20 at approximately 9:20 a.m. A student had stabbed a vice principal and an administrative assistant before fleeing the school.

The boy was arrested outside the school around 9:30 am

The employees were taken to hospital with serious injuries, but were released within days.

The suspect, who reportedly injured himself with a knife, was treated in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The teenager had a bandage on his throat when he first appeared in court on March 21. The Crown announced that day that if the boy is convicted, it could apply to have him sentenced as an adult.

The boy had to undergo a psychiatric examination in April. The doctor who conducted that examination said the teen was mentally fit to stand trial.

The boy also faces a separate charge of property assault from a March 2 incident at the school.