A preliminary inquiry has commenced in Moncton for two individuals accused of the murder of Melissa Price earlier this year. Leandra Beaulieu, aged 37, and Devlin O’Blenis, aged 36, are jointly charged with second-degree murder. The body of Price, 39 at the time of her death, was discovered in a garbage bin on a residential street in Moncton on February 15th.

The purpose of the preliminary inquiry is to assess the evidence for potential trial proceedings and is set to span five days. During the session at Moncton provincial court, Crown prosecutor Stephen Holt presented a USB containing videos and a booklet of photos to provincial court Judge Brigitte Volpé. The evidence is currently under a publication ban until the conclusion of the trial or the discharge of Beaulieu and O’Blenis if the case does not proceed to trial.

Although both accused individuals had initially waived their right to a preliminary inquiry, the Crown has decided to continue with the inquiry. Holt informed Judge Volpé that the Crown seeks to record witness testimonies officially. Warrants were issued by Volpé for eight witnesses who could not be located by the Crown.

Following the lunch break, it was revealed that police managed to find two of the missing witnesses, who testified in the afternoon session. Additionally, one witness provided testimony in the morning session. Beaulieu and O’Blenis were originally charged separately with first-degree murder, but the charges were downgraded in May to a joint second-degree murder charge.

Another individual, Joshua Martin, faces accusations of being an accessory after the fact and committing indignity to a human body. The incident is said to have occurred on February 14th, the day before Price’s body was discovered. The circumstances surrounding her death and any connection between her and the accused have not been disclosed by the RCMP.

Several of Price’s family members, including her parents Pat and Peter Price, attended the first day of the preliminary inquiry. Beaulieu and O’Blenis were seated together in the prisoner’s box, accompanied by two sheriffs. Throughout the proceedings, the pair conversed quietly and glanced towards the gallery on multiple occasions.