Drug overdose was reason for absence, court hears

C7 Tammy Scott-WallaceTelegraph-Journal

HAMPTON – Patricia Jones of Saint John, formerly of Sussex, has no choice but to show up for her ex-boyfriend's trial this time.

On July 20 in Hampton court, as Nathan Winchester, also formerly of Sussex, was to go to trial on a number of charges including assaulting and threatening Jones, the hearing had to be cancelled. Witnesses were there, the accused was there along with the Crown and defense attorneys, but the key witness in the matter, Jones, didn't show up.

A warrant was issued for the 29-year-old's arrest, and on the weekend she was picked up by police and held, making her first appearance in Sussex court from the prisoner's box, in cuffs, on July 22.

Despite her pleas to go home, she was denied release and was further remanded until a show-cause hearing to hold her in Hampton court on Monday.

Her friend William Main of Sussex stood in the courtroom and said he would take Jones into his care and promised she would be back in court today for Winchester's new court date in Sussex.

But Judge Henrik Tonning could not be convinced despite her explanation.

She said she is on the methadone program and prior to last week's trial she overdosed on crack cocaine while staying in Saint John. She was hospitalized and later released, but told the judge she was unable to wake up in time for the trial.

Main said he tried to wake Jones himself that morning for court, but her breathing was slow and her heart rate low.

He said he made several calls, including to the Saint John Regional Hospital where she was discharged and was told that between the drugs she took and the medications the hospital prescribed, it could be several hours or even days before she woke up.

Main said he also made calls to the RCMP and to the Hampton courthouse to let them know Jones' situation and to advise she wouldn't be at the trial.

Tonning said the Winchester matter was adjourned before because Jones was in detox for her drug addictions.

“Everyone's been trying for years and it's not working,” the judge said of efforts to get Jones the help she needs.

He said he must guarantee her presence today, and that will only happen with her locked up behind bars.

“I want her clean and sober on Friday,” he said, denying her release as she sobbed in to her hands. She also has an outstanding fine for an unrelated matter which Tonning said she is working off during her incarceration.

“I'm not trying to be difficult. That's the last thing she needs,” Tonning said.

Meanwhile, Winchester is also in custody awaiting his hearing on eight charges.

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