PORT HAWKESBURY, N.S. — Cassidy Bernard’s family is calling for the trial of her accused murderer to not be held in a Wagmatcook courtroom.
“Our family does not feel safe with the trial being held there,” said Annie Bernard Daisley, Bernard’s cousin and a We’koqma’q band councillor.
“This should be held away from both of our communities.”
Dwight Austin Isadore, who is charged with the second-degree murder of Bernard, is from Wagmatcook.
Bernard was from We’koqma’q.
It was in her We'koqma'q home that she was found dead by family on Oct. 24, 2018.
Her twin infants were found alone in the home and were both dehydrated and hypothermic.
Isadore, who is father to the children, is also charged with two counts of abandonment.
The two children are now being raised by Bernard's mother, Mona.
Isadore appeared in provincial court in Port Hawkesbury on Monday.
At the appearance, Crown attorney Gerald MacDonald requested that the trial be held in Port Hawkesbury, citing conversations with the Bernard family, concerns about security raised by Sheriff’s Services and other security issues with using Wagmatcook Court.
“This has never been brought to my attention by Sheriff’s Services. Never,” responded Judge Laurel Halfpenny MacQuarrie.
The judge said that Sherriff’s Services had been consulted in the design of the court, which opened in 2018. She said there are well-trained staff there and a protected corridor for the accused to pass through between sheriff’s vehicles and the courtroom.
“Sherriff’s Services would have to convince me with some intelligence, there would have to be some reason,” said Halfpenny MacQuarrie.
Outside the courtroom, the two dozen family and supporters of Bernard family were all in agreement that the trial should be held somewhere other than Wagmatcook that would be perceived as neutral ground.
Bernard-Daisley said that in Wagmatcook there would be representatives of both families in the courtroom that would create a potential for strife.
“Wagmatcook is a great setup, our problem is not with the court there,” said Bernard Daisley.
“But for this trial, what I’d say is: Why should he go home when Cassidy will never go home?”
During Monday’s appearance, Isadore appeared via videolink from the Northeast Nova Correctional Facility in Pictou County.
He was remanded in custody until his next appearance on Jan. 15.
“I was hoping to get bail a little sooner than Jan. 15,” said Isadore.
Halfpenny MacQuarrie said he would have to wait until his next court appearance to seek bail.
Isadore, 20, also agreed to an order banning him from contact with 41 community members.
Note: This story has been updated to correct the name of the judge.
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