Noelle-Paquette (Submitted Photo)Noelle-Paquette (Submitted Photo)
Chatham

Judge Says No To Sarnia Trial

There are reports this morning that the trial of the two people accused in the murder of teacher Noelle Paquette will not be held in Sarnia.

The London Free Press says Superior Court Justice Bruce Thomas has ordered the trial of 21-year-old Michael MacGregor and 33-year-old Tanya Bogdanovich be held outside of Sarnia-Lambton.

Thomas cited several reasons for his decision including security problems at the Sarnia courthouse and intense publicity surrounding the case.

The Free Press says the regional senior justice of the Southwest Region will decide the location of the trial.

The trial, expected to last four months or more, is scheduled to begin April 4, 2016.

The body of the 27-year-old Noelle Paquette was found in a woodlot off Mandaumin Rd. January 2, 2013 after she went missing following a New Years Eve gathering in downtown Sarnia.

Hundreds of people helped search for her, 1,000 people attended her funeral and 2,000 turned out at a candlelight vigil. Her legacy lives on in Noelle's Gift that has raised almost $400,000 for underprivileged children.

Read More Local Stories