Crown stays charges against man accused of attempted murder

Crown prosecutors have halted proceedings against a man accused of taking part in an alleged home invasion. 

Gill Perrault was scheduled to appear in court on April 3. However, the Crown brought the charges forward on Feb. 20 to give a written stay of proceedings. 

A Crown stay means the charges have been temporarily halted. However, a stay means that the charges are not completely withdrawn. The charges remain “active” and can be “reactivated” by the Crown within a one-year time period. 

The Crown can ask for a stay of proceedings for a wide variety of reasons including, but not limited to, a lack of evidence or uncooperative witnesses. 

Perrault, along with Joshua Adams, was charged with breaking and entering and attempted murder following an alleged home invasion on Sept. 13. Perrault was released on conditions by Judge Brian Hendrickson on Oct. 23 which are vacated in a stay of proceedings.