The man accused of murdering Victoria Head will be going to trial.
Provincial court Judge Jacqueline Brazil ruled this morning there is enough evidence to send Steve Bragg, 35, to trial on a charge of first-degree murder in connection with Head’s death last fall.
Bragg, who has already elected to have a jury hear his case, will be arraigned in Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court in St. John's in September.
The preliminary inquiry in the case wrapped up late last week after 10 days of witness testimony and submissions from prosecutors Robin Singleton and Lisa Stead and Bragg’s lawyers, Bob Buckingham and Brittany Whalen. Evidence presented at the hearing is banned from publication — in an effort to avoid tainting a potential jury — but Head's family members were often emotional in the courtroom as details of the case were presented. Two of them left the room Thursday morning as the judge reviewed certain evidence.
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Head, 36, was a Placentia native and a mother of one whose body was found near a trail by O’Brien’s Farm Road last November. Police issued a missing person advisory for Bragg the next day, but he was located shortly thereafter.
Bragg was originally charged with second-degree murder but the charge was upgraded as the police investigation progressed.
Bragg was not present for his preliminary inquiry, having been granted permission to be absent before proceedings began.
Brazil had been scheduled to make a decision in the matter two weeks ago, but had asked for further submissions from the lawyers on a particular aspect of the case first.
Twitter: @tara_bradbury
