Defence lawyer removed from trial of N.S. man charged in connection with 2020 death

The trial of a Nova Scotiaman facing several charges related to the death of Robert Campbellhas been put on hold after one of the defence lawyers was removed from the case.

In a ruling released Tuesday, Justice James Chipman of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court agreed with a Crown request to remove Zebedee Brown.

Brown was representing Devyn Adam Dennis, one of four people accused in connection withthe death of Campbell.The 51-year-old's body was found in aburned-out car in St. Croix, N.S., on the morning of May 24, 2020.

Dennis ischarged with breaking and entering, arson, indignity to human remains and obstruction of justice. Darroll Atwell, 42, pleadedguilty to similar charges earlier in October.

Murder charges were withdrawn against two other people, Rebecca Elizabeth Moir and Brandon Doucette.

Dennis's trial was scheduled to begin on Nov. 23 and run for 20 days.

Justicecites 'conflict issue'

The Crown listed Anthony Kelly as one of the witnesses they would be calling. According to police notes, Kelly was to testify about a conversation he had with Dennis in which the accused allegedly admitted to his role in Campbell's death.

Kelly died of cancer in August 2021. Before his death, he'd spoken with defence lawyer Zebedee Brown and Brown indicated that the contents of that conversation could form part of Dennis's defence.

"Mr. Brown went on record as having evidence relevant to the reliability of the statement of a deceased witness," Justice Chipman said inhis decision, summarizingthe Crown's position.

"As the statement of the deceased witness concerns a confession, the Crown submits that it is of great import to the Crown's case."

At one of several pretrial conferences, Dennis was advised to get independent legal advice on whether Brown should continue to be his lawyer. He did not do so.

"Based on my review, the Defence filings have included nothing to ease the Court's concernswith regard to the conflict issue that was first recognized by Mr. Brown himself back in mid-May," Justice Chipman wrote.

He said allowing Brown to remain as defence counsel could cause "havoc" down the road.