Ernie “Junior” Ross Duggan, 49, is accused of first-degree murder in the death late Sunday night of Susan Butlin, 59, at her home on Clarkes Road in Bayhead.
Duggan is also accused of attempted murder against several RCMP members following an exchange of gunfire early Monday morning at the Lockerbie Memorial Cemetery in Tatamagouche.
Documents filed at the provincial court in Truro show that Butlin had filed a peace bond application against Duggan on Aug. 10 relating to allegations dating to July 2 in her home. The documents state that Butlin said Duggan, her next door neighbour, had demanded sexual favours and exposed himself to her.
“I felt threatened,” Butlin wrote in the peace bond application, adding that Duggan was “drunk” and “very strong.”
“I feel Mr. Duggan sexually assaulted or harassed me in my home the evening of July 2, 2017.”
Butlin also accused Duggan of vandalizing her swimming pool on Aug. 5 after she reported the earlier incident to his wife and told him she was going to contact the RCMP.
During a hearing on Aug. 30, Duggan was ordered by Judge Al Bégin to have “no contact whatsoever” with Butlin while the matter was before the court. He also felt that Butlin’s allegations went beyond the scope of a peace bond matter and ordered that it be further investigated.
To that end, the Crown attorney advised the court on Sept. 13 that the RCMP was looking into Butlin’s allegations and the matter was adjourned until Oct. 4. Duggan was again ordered by the judge on that date to have absolutely no contact with Butlin.
Shortly before midnight Sunday, the Colchester District RCMP responded to a 911 call from a residence on Clarkes Road in Bayhead. Upon arrival officers discovered Butlin deceased in her home.
Duggan was located by RCMP members shortly after and when he took off in his pickup truck, police followed him to the Lockerbie Cemetery.
Duggan remained in his vehicle at the site and after a verbal engagement with him, there was was exchange of gunfire around 7 a.m.
Duggan was wounded and taken to hospital for treatment where he remains under police custody until he is well enough to appear in court.
No RCMP members were shot during the exchange of gunfire.
Butlin, who had been a longtime real estate agent in the area and an employee at the Train Station Inn, has been described by numerous sources as a caring, soft-spoken, well-respected community member, devoted mother and volunteer.
The province's independent Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) now is investigating the shooting of Duggan by the RCMP.
SiRT is responsible for investigating all serious incidents involving police in Nova Scotia, whether or not there is an allegation of wrongdoing. Investigations are under the direction and control of independent civilian director Ron MacDonald.
The team can independently begin an investigation after a referral from a chief of police, the head of the RCMP in Nova Scotia or the Minister of Justice. It can also investigate after a complaint from the public.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to contact SiRT, toll free, at 1-855-450-2010.
The Police Act requires the director to file a public report summarizing the result of the investigation within three months after it is finished.
