The lawyer for a Sault man facing a rare manslaughter charge in an overdose death has waived the necessity for a bail review hearing as he awaits possible trial.
Henry Cadreau, 42, was arrested Feb. 8 and charged with manslaughter and trafficking in a schedule I substance. None of the allegations have been tested in court and Cadreau is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Simply put, manslaughter is a homicide committed without the intention to cause death.
At the time of the arrest, Sault Ste. Marie Police Chief Hugh Stevenson said it is the first time since he took over as city police chief in 2018 that “we have the evidence to lay a manslaughter charge in a drug investigation.”
Although it is rare, other police services have charged fentanyl traffickers with manslaughter in cases of fatal overdoses.
The charge relates to a fatal overdose that occurred on the evening of March 7, 2023 in the 200 block of Bruce Street.
Forensic analysis determined that the victim died of fentanyl and ethanol intoxication. Sault Police say they were able to link the drugs to a specific dealer.
The name of the victim was not released by police, but posts on social media at the time identified him as 24-year-old Paris Williams.
In a February interview, the victim's mother told SooToday she believes all drug traffickers should be treated like serial killers.
Lawyer Kenneth Walker appeared in court on Cadreau's behalf on Wednesday for his 90-day bail review hearing. Walker told Justice Susan Stothart his client was waiving his right to the hearing.
Cadreau is scheduled for a judicial pre-trail on June 13, with an appearance on June 27 to be spoken to.