Treyton Alexander Marsman is led out of Halifax provincial court in September 2024 after his arraignment on charges of second-degree murder, obstructing justice and interfering with the remains of his 16-year-old cousin, Devon Sinclair Marsman, who disappeared in February 2022. Photo by Tim KrochakArticle contentA Halifax-area man accused of killing his 16-year-old cousin has elected to be tried by a Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge alone rather than by a judge and jury.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 contentTreyton Alexander Marsman, 27, of Lakeside faces three charges in connection with the February 2022 disappearance of Devon Sinclair Marsman of Halifax: second-degree murder, interfering with human remains and obstructing justice.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentMurder cases are normally heard by juries, but Treyton Marsman, with the consent of the Crown, re-elected in Supreme Court in Halifax last week to have a judge-alone trial.Article contentJustice Christa Brothers, during a video appearance by Marsman on Thursday, got him to confirm he was giving up his right to be tried by a jury of his peers.Article contentLawyer Michael Lacy of Toronto, who was in court in person, then entered not-guilty pleas for Marsman.Article contentBrothers scheduled Marsman’s trial for four weeks beginning Jan. 11, 2027, in front of Justice Josh Arnold.Article content“It’s a substantial period of time for someone in custody to await a trial, even a trial four weeks long,” Lacy said.Article content“That’s the first four-week block that we have,” Brothers replied.Article content“It’s very unfortunate . . . that your court and judicial resources are as taxed as they are,” Lacy said.Article contentLacy will have his assistant email the court every month to see if earlier trial dates open up.Article contentArticle contentThe judge remanded Marsman, who is in a federal penitentiary serving two sentences, until the first day of trial. She reminded him that he has been ordered to have no contact with four other persons charged in the case and six potential Crown witnesses.Article content Devon Sinclair Marsman was 16 when he went missing in February 2022. Police announced in September 2024 that the Halifax teen’s disappearance had become a homicide. Photo by File photoArticle contentDevon was last seen alive Feb. 24, 2022, in the Spryfield area of Halifax. He was reported missing by his mother March 4, 2022.Article contentOn Sept. 17, 2024, police announced Devon’s disappearance had become a homicide. They said remains believed to be his had been recovered and two men had been charged — Treyton Marsman and a 20-year-old Halifax man.Article contentBoth men appeared in court that day. The 20-year-old, who was charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder and obstructing justice, was only 17 when he allegedly committed the offences so his identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Man accused of killing Halifax teen in February 2022 elects to have judge-alone trial
