An anticipated guilty plea by a man accused in a fatal shooting in Blenheim almost two years ago will have to wait a few more weeks.
The plea for Darius White, 20, was expected to be entered in Chatham court on Tuesday, but the court was told that Justice Gerri Lynn Wong was not available for the plea and the matter was postponed until January 16, 2023, the same day scheduled for a sentencing hearing.
White is one of two men accused in connection to the shooting death of 20-year-old Braedon Burk of Blenheim on April 21, 2021.
White is charged with second-degree murder and attempted murder.
His preliminary hearing dates this month were all eliminated.
White is still in custody at the Windsor jail.
White’s co-accused, 20-year-old Chad Coupe, was already sentenced to nine years in prison in July 2022 after pleading guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Coupe was also initially charged with second-degree murder and attempted murder.
Chatham-Kent police previously alleged that one of two men shot Burk after an argument while he was visiting the home in Blenheim. The victim was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators reported the men fled the scene but their vehicle was found within minutes on Communication Road. The driver surrendered to the police but the passenger allegedly moved into the driver’s seat and took off. Police said the second suspect was later taken into custody after a high-risk traffic stop on Kent Bridge Road, adding that a firearm was recovered as well.
A publication ban is in affect preventing more details from being made public.