The trial date for a former Chatham-Kent police officer has finally been set for July.
The case of Cristelle VandenEnden was up in Chatham court on Wednesday to set her trial dates for July 24, 26, 28, and August 1, 2023. A trial confirmation hearing is set for May 29, 2023.
VandenEnden still has fraud and breach of release charges to be resolved before her trial. That part of her case will return to court March 16, 2023.
VandenEnden is facing charges of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and criminal negligence causing bodily harm following an incident involving a vehicle in Chatham two years ago. In January of 2021, VandenEnden was charged after paramedics went to a home in Chatham to assist an injured man. According to Chatham-Kent police, the 40-year-old man was transported to the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance and admitted for medical attention. Police previously said the investigation pointed to an officer who was on medical leave and may have been the driver of the vehicle that caused the man’s injuries.
VandenEnden retired in April and notified her lawyer in September that she changed her mind about a trial.
Her defence lawyer Jim Dean also previously told the court that the other charges, including possession of narcotics and breaching her release conditions were expected to be resolved by the end of January.
A publication ban prevents further information from being made public. The purpose of the ban is to preserve the rights of the defendant to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence.
