Moncton murder trial takes break for ill juror, another juror dismissed

A Moncton murder trial has been paused for a day to allow ajuror to recover from an illness.

Riley Phillips, 20, is being tried on a charge of second-degree murder. He is accused of killingJoedin Leger, 18, on April 25, 2022, in Moncton.

The Crown alleges Leger was shot during a home invasion and robbery involving Phillips and five others.

Testimony was expected to resume Tuesday, the 14thday of the trial. But Court of King's BenchJustice Robert Dysart sent the jury home to allow one member to recover from an illness.

Another of the 14 jurors was dismissedfor unrelated reasons.That leaves 13 members to continue hearing evidence in the case.

The reason for the dismissal wasn't mentioned while the remainder of the jury was in the courtroom.

"There's nothing unusual about this circumstance," Dysart said, telling jurors it would not be a factor in their eventual deliberations.

The trial was expected to last about four weeks, but jurors were told Friday the case would likely last five weeks.

The jury has heard testimony from 23 witnesses so far.