Barrie man charged with manslaughter

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Posted By LANCE HOLDFORTH, SPECIAL TO THE EXAMINER

Updated 1 month ago

J.T. McVeigh Photo -- Barrie Ontario -- July 26, 2010Det-const Rob Adam stands out front of a Janice Street address where 55-year-old Roy Edward Hales was found dead. Police charged a 31-yer-old Barrie with manslaughter and robbery charges.

Barrie police have charged a 31-year-old Barrie man with manslaughter and robbery in connection to the death of 55-year-old Roy Edward Hales.

A post-mortem examination determined Hales died from blunt force trauma.

Hales was found dead inside his north-end home at 47 Janice Dr., and police say the accused may have frequented the house.

"As a result of our ongoing investigation, we determined that the deceased, Mr. Hales, was involved in a physical altercation that took place the weekend of July 17 and July 18. Based on this altercation, the deceased received injuries which he later succumbed to."

James Jonathon Dillon was arrested Sunday and charged with manslaughter, robbery, possession of property obtained by crime, breach of recognizance and breach of probation.

"Right now, with the evidence we have, manslaughter is the appropriate charge," Adam said in front of Hales' house.

Dillon remained in custody pending a bail hearing Monday afternoon.

Adam said the house was known to police.

"We had information from past occurrences," he said.

Forensic identification officers are processing the house. Officers are also canvassing the neighbourhood.

A search warrant to enter the home was issued Saturday night, after Adam said an autopsy ruled Hales' death suspicious.

"It was based on the results of the post-mortem done at the Chief Coroner's Office in Toronto," he said. "We have forensic identification officers that are processing the scene."

Uniformed officers responded to a tip, but Adam said the major crime unit took over when Hales was found.

"We did receive a call for support to the address," he said. "We know who made the call, but that is still under investigation."

Neighbours saw Hales' body brought out of the house, and said they were surprised someone would injure their quiet neighbour.

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Recent criminal investigations in Simcoe County

May 22, 2010 -- A portion of a man's dismembered body is found in Oro- Medonte Township's Sugar Bush subdivision, during the Victoria Day long weekend. More of his mutilated remains are found later in the day in Lake of Bays Township, east of Huntsville. A third set of remains is discovered May 29 northeast of Bracebridge on the shoulder of Stoneleigh Road, off Muskoka Road 117, by a worker with a paving company. Police say all of the man's body parts have yet to be found. The man's identity, age and cause of death have not been determined, but authorities say his body was dumped in plain view not long before they were discovered.

Jan. 10, 2010 -- Midland police investigate an apparent murder and subsequent suicide after Stephanie Hoddinott, a 20-year-old Midland woman, dies after being shot in the head at her Irwin Street residence. Police find the seriously injured woman inside the home around 2:25 p.m. Hoddinott is rushed to a local hospital where she dies. The suspect, a 20-year-old Penetanguishene man identified as Jacob Ferrier, is found inside a vehicle about 10 minutes later on nearby Bayshore Drive, also suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Ferrier is airlifted to a Toronto hospital where he dies a few days later. Investigators found a .45-calibre, semiautomatic handgun in the vehicle. Police said the couple had been dating, but that the relationship may have recently ended. A warrant for first-degree murder had been obtained for Ferrier's arrest.

June 7, 2009 -- Michelle Simon, 45, is found stabbed in her Mary Street apartment in downtown Barrie. She is rushed to Royal Victoria Hospital where she dies. Her estranged husband, Daniel Simon, 46, is charged with second-degree murder. The case remains before the courts.

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