18-year-old charged with attempted murder in Cobalt makes first court appearance

An 18-year-old man charged with attempted murder in a small northern Ontario community made a court appearance today, and remains in custody.

PhillipeGagnon appeared in a courtroom in Haileybury, via video, from the North Bay jail.

He is facing several charges, including attempted murder and aggravated assault, after a 16-year-old female was attacked with a vehicle, and then with a weapon on Nov. 3 in Cobalt. Police are considering it an incident of intimate partner violence.

Kaylie Smith remains in hospital in Ottawa with life-threatening injuries, but is in stable condition. Police say the accused hit her with his SUV, and then attacked her with a sword.Police are considering it an incident of intimate partner violence.

A group of protesters gathered outside the courthouse onTuesday morning, ahead of the proceedings, and they carried signs saying "Justice for Kaylie" and "No bail."

KayleeKennedy, one of the people protesting outside the courtroom,said the situation has been heartbreaking.

"Domestic violence is no joke. To go through something like that, her whole life has changed and that breaks my heart," she said.

"She's never going to be the same again."

Tracy Lee worked with Kaylie Smith at a local grocery store.

"I'm a mother. My daughter is close to her age," she said.

"I think anyone who would do something like that to such a sweet young girl... it's just disgusting."

No decision was made on bail today, and the next court hearing in this case is scheduled for Nov. 26.