The minister of justice says her department has been assured by the High Sheriff that enough Sheriff’s Officers will be in place to ensure that a high profile murder trial goes ahead without further delay.
Dean Penney appears via video in St. John’s Supreme Court on June 10, 2025. (VOCM News)
The trial of Dean Penney – who is accused of murdering his estranged wife Jennifer Hillier Penney – which started yesterday, was postponed today because of a shortage of Sheriff’s Officers.
Jennifer Hillier Penney disappeared from St. Anthony in November of 2016. Her body was never found.
Minister Helen Conway Ottenheimer, who has received a report from a working group tasked to discuss staffing shortages affecting the provincial court system, says while she cannot speak to specifics, enough staff will be available in Corner Brook to allow necessary trials to go ahead.
The issue was raised during Question Period in the House of Assembly by Opposition Leader John Hogan.
Hogan told the House he fears that the situation is only getting worse, but Minister Conway Ottenheimer says her department has been assured that “there will be sufficient Sheriff’s Officers in Corner Brook for that trial.”
