Sheriff’s deputies look on as a group of family members and friends of murder victim Jeffrey Pearson stand outside the Sydney Justice Centre rear parking lot Tuesday. Chris Connors/Cape Breton PostArticle content Family members and friends of murder victim Jeffrey Pearson wait to be let inside the courtroom Tuesday at the Nova Scotia Supreme Court bail hearing for Chris Neville. Chris Connors/Cape Breton PostTHIS 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 contentA Cape Breton man charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of a Whitney Pier man has been freed on bail after posting what is believed to be the largest surety in the province’s history.Article contentArticle contentChris Neville, 49, was granted his release Tuesday during a Nova Scotia Supreme Court appearance in Sydney as family members and friends of the victim, Jeffrey Pearson, 44, filled the courtroom with about a dozen armed police officers and sheriffs deputies looking on.Article contentArticle contentSupreme Court Justice Shane Russell admonished one person for speaking out during the proceedings and one woman was ordered to leave the courtroom for shaking her head in disapproval when Neville was granted bail. Several other people walked out with her, voicing their displeasure.Article contentCrown attorney Peter Dostal said the release plan negotiated with the defence counsel before the hearing and accepted by Russell included $630,000 pledged by Neville and three sureties as well as a list of strict conditions.Article contentArticle content“The release itself, it’s strict house arrest. He is to stay in his house 24-7.” – Crown attorney Peter DostalArticle contentArticle content‘Beyond anything’Article content“I want to emphasize that this isn’t just a typical release plan. This release plan where we have $630,000 being pledged is beyond anything Nova Scotia has seen. I think that was undoubtedly the strongest plan that Nova Scotia has seen and given both the pledge, the restrictions and the other conditions imposed on the court, we were satisfied,” Dostal said.Article contentArticle content“The release itself, it’s strict house arrest. He is to stay in his house 24-7. There are security cameras around the house, to entries and exits, that are accessible to the police. He has a GPS monitor that monitors every few seconds as to his exact location. That information is accessible to the police. His communications on social media are prohibited. He has three individuals who are expected to be responsible to police him 24 hours a day, and if they fail or are negligent in their duties, they have significant financial penalties in relation to that. He will be limited on what phone calls he can make. He could be limited on what form of access to the Internet there will be. He will not be going anywhere and he will be expected to remain there for the duration of these proceedings.”Article content Crown attorney Peter Dostal speaks to the media after Chris Neville was granted bail following a Nova Scotia Supreme Court bail hearing in Sydney. Chris Connors/Cape Breton PostArticle contentArticle contentFlight riskArticle contentNeville is also banned from airports, heliports and ferry terminals, and must turn over his passport.
Cape Breton man charged with first-degree murder granted bail
