A Sault Ste. Marie man accused of threatening to kill the mayor is still seeking a lawyer.
Tyler Kennedy appeared in court this afternoon, where duty counsel Meghan Recker said the 39-year-old has “been having a tough time retaining counsel.”
After speaking with Kennedy in a breakout room over video, Recker said she has referred him to a counsel service with legal aid.
Kennedy is facing multiple criminal charges after he was arrested and charged for allegedly using telecommunications to threaten the life of Mayor Matthew Shoemaker.
Kennedy is facing multiple criminal charges after he was arrested and charged for allegedly using telecommunications to threaten the life of Sault Mayor Matthew Shoemaker.
Police say officers responded to a call on July 24 after the threats were posted on an online platform.
“An investigation revealed the accused attended a location frequented by the victim to intimidate them, and used public platforms to share threatening materials directed at the victim,” police said in the release.
Village Media, which operates SooToday, alerted police on July 24 after moderators intercepted a comment that appeared to be threatening.
Police executed a warrant for Kennedy’s arrest on Aug. 13 after officers spotted him walking along Pilgrim Street.
Kennedy is charged with:
Indecent communications
Intimidation of a justice system participant
Uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm
Last week SooToday revealed that Kennedy was charged again — this time for allegedly possessing a chainsaw for a purpose “dangerous to the public peace,” according to court documents filed on Aug. 26.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and Kennedy is considered innocent until proven guilty.
He will be back in court on Oct. 8 at 1:30 p.m.
— with files from James Hopkin