'Justice for Kaylie': Dozens of supporters show up to northern Ont. man's court hearing
**WARNING - This article contains graphic details of intimate partner violence and may be upsetting to some readers
Dozens of 'Justice for Kaylie' supporters showed up Tuesday morning for a court hearing for the northern Ontario man accused in a vicious attack on his ex-girlfriend.
Protestors outside Haileybury courthouse calling for bail to be denied for Phillipe Gagnon, 18, who is charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault against his ex-girlfriend. Nov. 12, 2024 (Eric Taschner/CTV Northern Ontario)
Phillipe Gagnon, 18, is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, weapons possession and breaching a conditional sentence.
He is accused of hitting Kaylie Smith, 16, with his vehicle before getting out and attacking her with a sword on a quiet street in Cobalt, Ont., the evening of Nov. 3 – provoking outrage in the community.
Gagnon was arrested in the nearby community of Haileybury in Temiskaming Shores shortly after the assault and remains in custody.
The Haileybury court docket listed a bail appearance for the accused Tuesday morning via Zoom, however, bail was not discussed or requested.
Justice Michelle Rocheleau heard the matter around 10 a.m. with a packed courtroom, around 200 participants on Zoom and nearly two dozen protestors outside the courthouse.
Gagnon appeared by video from the North Bay jail dressed in an orange jumpsuit with shaggy, brown hair.
The matter has been adjourned two weeks at the request of defence counsel R. Davies in order to receive disclosure evidence.
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Kessie Pellerin was one of the people demonstrating outside the courthouse as the hearing was going on inside.
She told CTV News reporter Eric Taschner she is a friend of Smith's.
"We’re f****ing terrified," Pellerin said.
"This is usually a quiet town and nothing like this usually happens. That never happens in Temiskaming Shores."
None of the charges laid on Nov. 3 have been proven in court.
CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca is covering the case and will provide updates as new information becomes available.
Help is available
Confidential and free support is available for people experiencing violence. In an emergency, call 911.
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Assaulted Women's Helpline 1-866-863-0511
- Fem'aide Helpline 1-877-336-2433
- Talk4Healing for Indigenous women 1-855-554-4325
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
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