A lawyer appeared in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Halifax on Thursday on behalf of Lance Kevin Rogers, 19, of Dartmouth, who’s charged with manslaughter and criminal negligence causing death in connection with a fatal drug overdose last November. The Crown filed a direct indictment to bypass a preliminary inquiry in provincial court. Photo by Steve BruceArticle contentThe Crown has filed a direct indictment against a young Dartmouth man charged with manslaughter in connection with a fatal overdose last fall.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentHalifax Regional Police responded to a drug overdose at a home on Craigburn Drive in Dartmouth on Nov. 10, 2024, at about 7:20 p.m. and discovered Darian Clayton, 18, deceased inside the residence.Article contentArticle contentOn April 22, police announced charges of manslaughter and criminal negligence causing death had been laid against Lance Kevin Rogers, 19.Article contentArticle contentRogers was released on a $10,000 bail order after he was arraigned in Dartmouth provincial court later that day.Article contentThe release order also covered other charges that were laid against Rogers in November as part of the investigation into Clayton’s death.Article contentThose charges included trafficking Percocet, possession of Percocet for the purpose of trafficking, and two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. The weapons were identified in court documents as brass knuckles and bear spray.Article contentDefence lawyer Jennifer MacDonald returned to provincial court for Rogers on April 29. She said he was electing to be tried in Nova Scotia Supreme Court by a judge alone and wished to have a preliminary inquiry in provincial court.Article contentThe preliminary inquiry was scheduled for Oct. 22.Article contentBut prosecutors filed a direct indictment June 9 to send Rogers straight to a jury trial in Supreme Court without a preliminary hearing.Article contentArticle contentThe five-count indictment includes the original manslaughter, criminal negligence and two drug charges, as well as a new allegation of knowingly having unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon, brass knuckles.Article contentThe new charge replaces the two weapons charges Rogers had been facing.Article contentThe indictment alleges the offences were committed in Dartmouth between Nov. 9 and Nov. 15, 2024.Article contentMacDonald was in Supreme Court in Halifax on Thursday on behalf of Rogers, who was not present. Justice John Keith booked a pre-trial conference for June 30, and lawyers will return to open court July 17 to set trial dates.Article contentRogers’s bail order includes one surety – his grandmother – and a 9 p.m.-6 a.m. curfew. He cannot have contact with any member of Clayton’s immediate family, be within 50 metres of their homes, schools or workplaces, or associate with anyone who has been convicted of an offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.Article contentThe judge also banned Rogers from having firearms and possessing or consuming controlled substances. He must check in with the Cole Harbour RCMP detachment by phone every Friday.Article content
Crown files direct indictment in Dartmouth overdose fatality
