The above video contains explicit language.
CLARENVILLE, NL— The man charged with impaired driving causing death for the fatal crash just outside Clarenville that claimed the life of Calvin Tobin this past August has pled not guilty.
Travis Firmage, 32, was in Clarenville provincial court this morning for an appearance that was originally set for speedy disposition, where it was expected he would plead guilty to at least some charges.
The not guilty plea came as a shock to members of Tobin’s family.
“This is a slap in the face to our family,” an emotional Carol Ann Brewer, aunt to the late Calvin Tobin, told reporters outside the courthouse.
Richard Brewer, uncle of the late Calvin Tobin, shouted threats and obscenities at Firmage as RCMP escorted him out of the building, and police had to separate him from Firmage.
Police led Firmage into the courthouse earlier that morning through a back door to avoid contact with the family.
Firmage will be back in court for a three-day trial Sept. 17-19
Related story: Nowhere to call home: Firmage back in custody until February sentencing