TRURO - High tension and tight security filled a packed courtroom for a Noel man whose manslaughter charges were upgraded to second-degree murder Tuesday morning.
Dustan Joseph Preeper, 22, of Noel, Hants County, was charged Friday following the death of Benjamin (Ben) Hare, 26, of Truro, who died following a fight at a multiple-unit apartment building at 67 Lyman St. early Thursday morning. Hare was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police described the incident as "a large fight involving a number of parties." That tension remained between family and friends from both sides prior to Preeper's brief appearance in provincial court.
He was remanded into custody until a bail hearing set for next Wednesday.
Visitors to the provincial court on Tuesday were required to undergo electronic screening prior to entering and extra deputy sheriffs were brought in to help maintain control. Numerous police officers were also on hand throughout the proceedings, which were described as tension-filled by Crown Attorney Paul Drysdale.
"Different than anything I've ever experienced, just in terms of tension and security," he told reporters outside the courtroom. "I've been here at the Truro office since last September and I haven't seen anything like this. But then we haven't had a charge like this since last September either."
Preeper appeared in court sporting various marks and bruises on his face, heavily tattooed arms and wearing a green T-shirt and blue pants.
"Asshole," someone from the victim's side of the courtroom commented, as Preeper was led back to the holding cells by sheriff's deputies following the hearing.
"That's why everybody's here, mouths like that," returned someone else from the benches containing supporters of the accused.
"Watch out or you're next," someone retorted from the other side of the room.
Preeper was charged last October with wounding, maiming or disfiguring Hare's younger brother Denver with a utility knife. But following a trial in that matter, he was acquitted of those charges by provincial court Judge Del Atwood in a decision handed down June 1.
In 2007, Preeper received a two-year (less one day) conditional sentence for participating in a home invasion in which a Bible Hill man was beaten by a gang of young people.
Following Tuesday's hearing, Preeper's supporters – some crying – were escorted out of the courtroom by sheriff's officers after a near confrontation had occurred prior to the session.
Outside the court building both sides milled about for a time, with tension continuing to fill the air, as some waited for Preeper to be taken away to jail.
"He always had a smile on his face, he didn't deserve this," Ben Hare's uncle, John Hare, said, while speaking to the media after the hearing.
He also said someone drove by the home of Ben's parents Monday about 10 p.m. and threw an egg, but the family doesn't know if that incident was connected to the events of the past week. Ben's parents were not in court yesterday.
"They just want it to be over as we all do," John Hare said.
Timeline:
– Thursday, July 8, 2:12 a.m. Truro Police called to a fight at 67 Lyman St. Benjamin Denim Hare, 26, declared dead at the scene.
– Friday, July 9 - Dustan Joseph Preeper, 22, of Noel charged with manslaughter.
– Monday, July 12, Truro Police announce that charges against Preeper are being upgraded to second degree murder.
– Tuesday, July 13 - Preeper appears in provincial court in Truro where second-degree murder charges are introduced. Next court appearance is July 31 for a bail hearing.
