Man accused of killing Halifax teen elects judge-alone murder trial

Nova Scotia·NewTreyton Alexander Marsman has opted for a judge-alone trial on a charge of second degree murder.Treyton Marsman is accused of killing his cousin, 16-year-old Devon Sinclair MarsmanBlair Rhodes · CBC News · Posted: Aug 07, 2025 10:03 AM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour agoIn 2024, Treyton Alexander Marsman was charged last year with second-degree murder, indignity to human remains and obstruction of justice. (Craig Paisley/CBC)A 26-year-old Halifax man has opted for a judge-alone trial on a charge of second-degree murder.The lawyer for Treyton Alexander Marsman announced the re-election during an appearance in Nova Scotia Supreme Court Thursday morning.Murder trials are ordinarily heard before a judge and jury, but lawyer Michael Lacy said his client wanted his case heard by a judge alone.Marsman appeared by video from prison and confirmed his choice to Justice Christa Brothers.He is accused of killing his cousin, Devon Sinclair Marsman, who was 16 at the time of his death.Devon Sinclair Marsman, 16, was last seen on Feb. 24, 2022. (CBC)Devon Marsman was last seen on Feb. 24, 2022 in the Halifax suburb of Spryfield. He was reported missing the following week. His body was discovered in February of last year.Treyton Marsman was not charged until last year. In addition to the murder charge, he’s also charged with indignity to human remains and obstructing justice.Four other people have also been charged in relation to Devon Marsman’s death.Following his not guilty plea, dates were set for Treyton Marsman’s trial. It won’t start until the middle of January 2027 and will run for four consecutive weeks.Lacy lamented the amount of time his client will have to wait.”It is very unfortunate that your court and judicial resources are that taxed,” he told Justice Brothers.ABOUT THE AUTHORBlair Rhodes has been a journalist for more than 40 years, the last 31 with CBC. His primary focus is on stories of crime and public safety. He can be reached at blair.rhodes@cbc.ca