MEN CHARGED WITH NORTH SYDNEY MAN’S MURDER ROBBED ANOTHER PERSON AT GUNPOINT

The men charged with killing a North Sydney man are accused of robbing a second victim at gunpoint the same day the murder took place.

Cape Breton Regional Police arrested Mitchell George McPhee, Ryan Joseph Pyke and Aaron Curtis Mickey during a three-week period in December and charged them with several offences related to the July disappearance and death of Kenneth Justin MacDonald, who goes by Justin.

McPhee, 39, was arrested Dec. 12 and charged with manslaughter, robbery and assault; Pyke, 36, was arrested Dec. 20 and charged with second-degree murder and robbery; and Mickey, 45, was arrested Dec. 31 and charged with second-degree murder, robbery and four firearms offences.

Police chief Robert Walsh and lead investigator Insp. Joe Farrell held a press conference on Jan. 9 to provide an update on the investigation.

When asked how the robbery and weapons charges are related to MacDonald’s death, Farrell declined to elaborate.

“The only thing I can say is the robbery and the homicide investigation are connected. I can’t make any further comment on the relationship between the two incidents right now,” he said.

However, according to court documents, those charges involve a second man who was assaulted and robbed of his cellphone by gunpoint on July 8, the same day police believe MacDonald was killed. According to the charges, the weapon in the cellphone incident was a shotgun wielded by Mickey.

MacDonald, 34, was last seen July 7 at approximately 11 p.m. at the Irving gas station on Commercial Street in North Sydney where he was seen on store surveillance cameras. Three days later, police located MacDonald’s blue Kia Forte approximately 25 kilometres away in the Ormond Crescent area of Mira Road.

SEARCH FOR BODY CONTINUES

While MacDonald’s body has not yet been located, police announced in November they were treating his disappearance as a homicide after the Nova Scotia public prosecution service determined the evidence police had obtained throughout the investigation met the reasonable grounds for murder charges.

The ongoing search for MacDonald’s remains has involved police K9 and drone teams, along with ground search and rescue crews, in more than 50 locations within the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, stretching from the Northside to Irish Vale area along Route 4 and in Sydney River area. MacDonald’s family has also organized daily searches.

Farrell said police have interviewed hundreds of people and more charges are possible.

“There is further people that need to be talked to, and as a result of those conversations and interviews, other charges may be possible.”

Walsh has said the investigation will remain open until MacDonald’s body is found.

“We have not yet recovered Justin’s body and so we are committed that we will continue this investigation until we do. I ask that if there’s anyone in the public who has any information in relation to this matter, please come forward at this time. It’s never too late to do the right thing. Help us to bring Justin home to his family.”

Meanwhile, the three men charged in the case have been arraigned in Sydney provincial court but have not yet entered pleas. People accused of very serious charges can elect that the case be heard in provincial court and then enter a plea. The accused can also choose to have the case heard in Supreme Court, which often leads to a preliminary hearing.

Mickey is expected to appear in provincial court on March 11 for election/plea; McPhee is scheduled for election/plea on March 20; and Pyke has a focus hearing scheduled for April 15 with a preliminary tentatively scheduled for May 6 and May 8.

THE ACCUSED

Cape Breton Regional Police have charged three men in connection with the murder of Justin MacDonald:

• Mitchell George McPhee. Age 39. Arrested on Dec. 12 and charged with manslaughter, robbery and assault. He is scheduled to next appear in court for election/plea on March 20
• Ryan Joseph Pyke. Age 36. Arrested on Dec. 20 and charged with second-degree murder and robbery. He is scheduled to next appear in court for a focus hearing on April 15
• Aaron Curtis Mickey. Age 45. Arrested on Dec. 31 and charged with second-degree murder, robbery, and four firearms offences. He is scheduled to next appear in court for election/plea on March 11.
• PHOTO ………..Kenneth Justin MacDonald.