An Ontario court has stayed the charges against a Mississauga man who was allegedly found with 8 kilograms of cocaine and 400 oxycodone pills, citing delays caused by the Crown for prolonging the case before trial.
The accused, Christopher Vaughan, requested a stay of proceedings as the case approached the 30-month timeframe for trials. Vaughan argued that his right to a trial without undue delay was being violated.
“This case is another example of how a significant disclosure failure by the Crown, in a region plagued by chronic institutional delays, must be promptly addressed or face the consequences,” Superior Court Justice Deena F. Baltman stated in the March 26
decision.
Vaughan was arrested on March 2, 2023, after two police search warrants allegedly uncovered “a large sum of currency” amounting to US$34,844 and CA$21,000, 400 oxycodone pills, digital scales, and other drug-related items in his Mississauga apartment. Additionally, police claim to have found 8 kilograms of cocaine, CA$14,000, and documents in the names of Vaughan and his wife, Maria Lopez, who also faced charges.
A third individual, Kenneth Green, was implicated in the investigation but had his charges stayed by the Crown, according to court documents.
Vaughan’s jury trial, set to commence on July 28, 2025, was scheduled before the Superior Court.
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Baltman revealed that the trial was expected to conclude 29 months and 8 days after the information was sworn, approaching the 30-month limit for superior court cases under the so-called Jordan Rule.
A major concern was the Crown’s delay of seven months and 13 days in providing Vaughan with “basic disclosure” essential for his defense.
Baltman criticized the Crown for failing to justify such a prolonged delay.
The court acknowledged Vaughan’s proactive approach in expediting the proceedings and criticized the Crown for lacking a valid explanation for the disclosure delay.
The delay in disclosing four key pieces of information significantly hindered the progress of the case, according to Baltman’s decision.
The defense team argued that without the necessary documents, they could not advise Vaughan on how to proceed with the case.
Despite the Crown’s attempt to secure an earlier trial, their efforts were unsuccessful.
The Crown initiated a direct indictment against Vaughan and Lopez on March 11, 2024, against the defendant’s wishes, as stated in the court documents. Subsequently, the case was transferred to the superior court.
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