One man accused of killing another in the Rabbittown area of St. John’s last summer has been denied bail.

The decision this morning by Provincial Court Judge Harold Porter will come as a relief for friends and family of the victim, 63-year-old Edgar Learning.

They’ve been publicly, yet peacefully, lobbying for that denial since Dylan Baker’s first bail hearing last July.

At the time, the 24-year-old agreed to remain in custody charged with manslaughter, assault with a weapon and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose, carrying a concealed weapon and breach of probation.

But this morning his lawyer made a formal pitch for release, which was opposed by the Crown, and subsequently denied by the judge.

Police have said little about the death, other than they responded to Salisbury Street early on the morning of June 17, found the victim with serious injuries, he was rushed to hospital, but died the next day.

Evidence at a bail hearing cannot be reported but Baker’s lengthy criminal record, including more than a dozen convictions for breaking previous court orders, is no secret.

In fact, Baker was free on conditions at the time of the homicide.

He has since been returned to HMP pending his next court date, and potential pleas, on February 5th.