Accused murderer Joseph Stafford had his first court appearance on Tuesday afternoon, following his arrest the night before in relation to a death in the city’s east end.
The matter was put over for a week, set to return to court on March 1.
Stafford is charged with second-degree murder, fail to comply with a release order and two counts of failing to comply with a probation order.
As explained in a Guelph police news release issued Tuesday morning, officers responded to a medical distress call involving a 59-year-old male at a housing complex in the area of York Road and Watson Parkway North shortly after 8 p.m.
The victim, whose name hasn’t been released, was taken to an out-of-region hospital and succumbed to his injuries, Guelph Police Service spokesperson Scott Tracey told GuelphToday.
Details about the victim’s injuries and the nature of the incident haven’t been released.
On Tuesday morning, a police officer stood guard outside a unit at 780 York Rd. while other police vehicles sat in the nearby parking lot.
A man who said he lives in the complex and identified himself as James Walters said he’s saddened by the death of his neighbour, who he referred to only as “Jim.”
“He was pretty, for the most part, quiet. He barely even left the property,” Walters said of the deceased. “He was a bit on the vulnerable end.”
As is its policy, police declined to identify the suspect who was reportedly arrested nearby shortly after police arrived at the scene, as noted in the release. The accused is referenced as a 40-year-old Guelph male.
However, the court docket indicates the accused person’s name as Joseph Stafford.
In its release, police noted the victim and accused were known to one another and there was no risk to the greater public.
