A preliminary investigation has commenced in Moncton for two individuals accused of the homicide of Melissa Price earlier this year. Leandra Beaulieu, aged 37, and Devlin O’Blenis, aged 36, are jointly charged with second-degree murder. Price, 39 years old at the time of her death, was discovered in a waste container on a residential Moncton street on February 15.
The purpose of the preliminary inquiry is to determine the sufficiency of evidence for a trial and is set to span five days. Crown prosecutor Stephen Holt submitted a USB containing videos and a photo booklet to Provincial Court Judge Brigitte Volpé in Moncton on Monday. This evidence is under a publication ban until the trial concludes or until Beaulieu and O’Blenis are discharged if the case does not proceed to trial.
Although both accused had previously waived their right to a preliminary inquiry, the Crown has decided to pursue one. Holt informed Judge Volpé that the Crown intends to record witness testimonies during the inquiry. Initially facing separate first-degree murder charges, Beaulieu and O’Blenis now face a joint charge of second-degree murder after the charges were downgraded in May.
A third individual, Joshua Martin, is accused of being an accessory after the fact and committing indignity to a human body. The incident is alleged to have occurred on February 14, the day before Price was discovered. Details regarding the circumstances of her death and any potential connection to the accused have not been disclosed by the RCMP.
On the first day of the preliminary inquiry, several of Price’s family members, including her parents Pat and Peter Price, were present. Beaulieu and O’Blenis were seated together in the prisoner’s box accompanied by sheriffs. Throughout the hearing, the pair conversed discreetly and glanced towards the gallery.