There was high tension in a St. John’s courtroom this morning as a woman was ordered to stand trial for murder in the hit-and-run death of a man last year.

Thirty-seven-year-old Kayla Isaacs was charged a day after the shocking incident which ended the life of 41-year-old William Chad Pearce.

It happened mid-afternoon on Friday, August 16th of last year, where Mount Royal Avenue meets Golf Avenue.

It’s alleged Isaacs was driving a grey Honda Civic when she struck Pearce, then sped away leaving him on the road with serious injuries.

Isaacs was tracked down and arrested the next day and charged with attempted murder, failing to stop after an accident and dangerous driving.

But all that changed a week later when the victim died in hospital, and the more serious charge of second-degree murder was laid, in addition to dangerous driving causing death and failing to stop after an accident causing death.

There was a preliminary inquiry to determine if the case should go to trial, and Judge Phyllis Harris was set to give her decision this morning, when the parents of the victim suddenly walked into the courtroom catching everyone off guard.

The mother stared hard at Isaacs before the judge called for sheriff’s officers and the courtroom was cleared, with the parents then set up in a separate room with a video feed of the proceedings. They could be seen on video expressing relief as the judge ruled that the case will go to trial.

Police have said Isaacs and Pearce knew each other but their precise relationship has yet to be disclosed in open court.

Isaacs, who remains free on conditions, will be arraigned in Supreme Court next month.