Justin Joseph Benjamin faces charges of second-degree murder and arson in Kentville provincial court in connection with the Jan. 11 death of his intimate partner, Paiyton Pick, whose remains were found after a fire at their home in Centreville. Photo by File photoArticle contentA preliminary inquiry will get underway in December for an Annapolis Valley man accused of killing his intimate partner and setting their house on fire last January.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 contentJustin Joseph Benjamin, 28, of Centreville is charged with second-degree murder in the Jan. 11 death of Paiyton Pick, 22, and arson with disregard to human life.Article contentArticle contentDates for a preliminary inquiry were set Tuesday, when Benjamin appeared in Kentville provincial court via a video link from the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Dartmouth.Article contentArticle contentAssociate Chief Judge Ronda van der Hoek scheduled the hearing for three days, beginning Dec. 12 and continuing April 14 and 15.Article contentThe defence is not contesting that there is sufficient evidence to send Benjamin on to Nova Scotia Supreme Court for a jury trial. It will instead use the inquiry to assess the strength of the Crown’s case.Article contentBenjamin is represented by Nick Fitch and David Hirtle, while the Crown attorneys are Rick Miller and Adam McCulley.Article contentKings RCMP, Kentville volunteer firefighters and paramedics responded Jan. 11 at about 3 a.m. to a structure fire at a house on Anthony Avenue in Centreville.Article contentThe home was engulfed in flames when first responders arrived. Six people had safely escaped the home.Article content“During the course of the investigation, a 22-year-old woman was located deceased inside the home,” RCMP said in a Jan. 13 news release. “From the initial information and evidence gathered, investigators believed that both the death and the fire were suspicious in nature.”Article contentThe RCMP’s Southwest Nova major crime unit took over the investigation, and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service determined Pick’s death was a homicide.Article content“The woman’s death was the result of intimate-partner violence,” RCMP said.Article contentOn Jan. 11 at about 12 p.m., Annapolis RCMP arrested Benjamin on Highway 8 near Lequille. He was transferred to the New Minas RCMP detachment, where he was held overnight and charged the next day.Article contentBenjamin has remained in custody since his arrest. If he wants bail, he will have to make an application in Supreme Court.Article content
Preliminary inquiry set for Annapolis Valley man charged with killing intimate partner
