SYDNEY, N.S. — A Sydney judge has committed a Bras d’Or man to stand trial in the death of a 17-year-old boy struck by a vehicle while leaving Leitches Creek graduation party.
Family members of Joneil Hanna cried and hugged one another Wednesday afternoon after Judge David Ryan rendered his decision.
The North Sydney father-of-one died on June 10, 2018, after being hit on Highway 223 after walking away from a house party.
Hayden Kenneth Laffin, 21, is charged with obstruction of justice in relation to Hanna’s death.
“Happy, joy for now — depending on the trial, I guess,” said Joneil’s father, John Parr, of New Waterford following the judge’s decision.
“I’m hopeful that he’ll be convicted. It’s another wait I guess.”
Jenn Hanna, the teenaged boy’s mother, said she was pleased with the decision.
“I’m happy with it — with the trial we get what we need,” she said.
Laffin was driving away from the Leitches Creek party when Hanna was struck along the side of the road.
Six police officers testified on behalf of the Crown during a preliminary hearing held in March.
The officers’ testimony is banned from publication until a verdict is reached in the case.
Ryan said Wednesday it wasn’t his role to assess the evidence presented before him, but to consider whether there was enough information to move the case forward.
“I’m of the opinion that it does meet that very low threshold,” he said.
Both Laffin and Hanna had attended a high school graduation party where alcohol flowed outside a Leitches Creek residence.
Estimates on the number of party-goers has varied greatly from over 100 to at least 1,000 people attending.
The death ignited outrage in the community when it was discovered that the driver of the vehicle who struck Hanna was never asked for a breathalyzer.
Laffin will now return to court on July 3, to set a trial date.
He has previously elected to be tried by a Supreme Court judge and jury.
RELATED:
• Three charged in Leitches Creek fatality
• North Sydney teen died from injuries sustained in collision: police
• VIDEO: North Sydney teen’s death sparks rally outside police office
• SiRT not investigating actions of police at fatal accident scene
• Driver in fatal collision not impaired, according to police
