Codiac RCMP incur $175K in overtime in Baylee Wylie murder case

Codiac Regional RCMP's investigation into the violent December murder of Moncton teen Baylee Wylie cost an estimated $175,000 in overtime expenses, according to the treasurer of the policing authority.

At the monthly CodiacRegional Policing Authority (CRPA)meeting on May 11, Paul Van Iderstine said the overtime costs associated with the murder in February were an anomaly.

"I believe it was$125,000we had gone through last month and then we have another $50,000in this month. Sothat's about $175,000on the homicide costs," he said.

Charles Leger, acting chairman of the CRPA, said the amount doesn't raise any flags for him.

"You know, I think unfortunately that's the cost of policing," said Leger.

The CRPA goes over Codiac's finances each month, and Leger feels the department does the best it can to keep expenses to a minimum.

"Certainly with the gruesomeness of what has been reported it was certainly something that needed to be done immediately and I think the RCMP did a great job under the circumstances."

Const.JullieRogers-Marsh, spokeswoman forthe RCMP in New Brunswick, said the force can'tbreak down what the costs covered.

"For operational reasons and because the matter is still before the courts, you know, we wouldn't be able to get into the details of the investigation," she said.

"Murder investigations are very serious files and can be complex and there are frequently costs associated with overtime because time is of the essence when investigating these types of crimes."

7 people charged

Wylie, 18, lost his life in what RCMP have described asan extremely violent murder, but no details have been released. His body wasdiscovered by firefightersin a burned apartment on Sumac Street on Dec. 17.

Seven people have been charged in connection with his death and all remain in custody.

Shortly after firefighters found Wylie'sbody, Devin Morningstar, 18,of Moncton, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and arson.

Also accused of committingfirst-degree murder and arson areTyler Noel, 19, and MarissaShephard, 20, both of Moncton. RCMP issuedCanada-wide warrants for their arrests.

Noel was arrested three weeks later near Petitcodiacwith two other men. He has been ordered to stand trial and is scheduled to return to court on July 4 to set a trial date.

Shephardspent10 weeks eluding police. Shewas arrestedat aMonctonhotel with the father of her childand another woman,only a few kilometres from the murder scene.

Shephard, who has been deemed fit to stand trial, is scheduled to returnto court on Fridayto set a date for a preliminary hearing.

Two men who were arrested with Noel, Bradley Bonnell, 20,and Zachary Holden, 19,are accused of assisting him to evade police, andare charged with being accessories to murder after the fact.

Bonnell has elected to be tried by judge and jury on that charge and a charge of unlawfully entering a residence. He is scheduled to return to court on June 9 to set a trial date and to enter pleas on possession of stolen propertycharges.

Holdenis due back in court on June 6 to face the accessory charge, possession of stolen property charges, as well as charges of dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.

The man and woman arrested with Shephardwere also bothcharged with being an accessory after the fact to the murder of Wylie by allegedly assisting herto evade police.

Stephen Nagle, 22,changed his plea to guilty,and was sentenced to nine months in jail and one year of probation.

Krystal Dawn Toole, 32, has been ordered to stand trial. A trial date is expected to set on June 6.