One of two men charged following a pair of violent break-ins in St. John’s last fall has pleaded guilty.
The incidents occurred back-to-back on a Monday night last September, and shocked many for the random nature of it all.
The first was at a house on Beaumont Street near St. Clare’s, where the homeowner was stabbed and his car stolen. A short time later a couple in their 80s were roughed up, robbed and left traumatized in their east end home on Maunder’s Lane.
A manhunt ensued and two suspects—Justin Haynes and Jonathon Hurley—were arrested within 36 hours, due in large part to tips and video from an outraged public.
(Jonathon Hurley, file photo.)
Both were charged with assault, aggravated assault, robbery, fraud, uttering threats and break and enter. But they were arrested and are being tried separately, with Haynes believed to be the accomplice rather than ringleader, and no previous record. Haynes has since pleaded guilty to all charges.
Hurley, who greeted the court with both middle fingers after his arrest, has done time for drugs, break-ins and robberies, including six years for holding up a Mount Pearl pharmacy.
He’s pleaded not guilty and chosen trial by judge alone in Supreme Court, which is set for next January.
Haynes, meanwhile, returns to provincial court on Friday for the sentencing phase, when court will hear how the events of that night continue to impact the lives of the victims.
