Trial dates set for Mountie killer's prison assault case
Justin Bourque and co-accused Christian Clyke will both stand trial in December
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A Moncton cop killer will stand trial later this year for an alleged attack on an inmate at the maximum-security prison where he’s serving his time.
Justin Christien Bourque, 34, who is serving a life sentence for killing three Mounties in 2014, appeared in Miramichi provincial court Thursday by video to set trial dates for charges of aggravated assault and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Co-accused Christian Enang Clyke, 31, of Halifax also appeared by video Thursday. He pleaded not guilty and elected trial by provincial court judge. Bourque had already pleaded not guilty at an earlier hearing.
Their trial was set for Dec. 16, 18, and 19 at 9:30 a.m. at the Miramichi Law Courts.
Clyke is also charged with second-degree murder in the October 2022 death of Richard Alan (Richie) King in the prison. King had been serving a life sentence at Atlantic Institution in Renous for his role in the 2006 murder of Shawn (Budgie) Tomah of Woodstock First Nation. That case is now being heard in the Court of King’s Bench.
The RCMP previously reported a 28-year-old man who was an inmate at the facility was found injured and taken to hospital with serious injuries on May 3, 2022.
Bourque and Clyke were charged with one count each of aggravated assault and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Bourque is serving a life sentence for killing three RCMP officers in a shooting spree that shocked the nation in 2014. He also shot and wounded two other officers.
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