The Ontario Superior Court of Justice will be asked to consider whether the trial for accused murderer Steven Jones should be heard in Sault Ste. Marie or if an application by defence to have it moved will be granted.
Earlier this month, dates for an eight-week trial were set starting Jan. 6, 2026 for the murder and attempted murder charges against Jones.
On Wednesday, a date was set by Justice Annalisa Rasaiah to hear the change of venue application: Jan. 14, 2025. If that application is successful, the trial would be held in a jurisdiction outside of Sault Ste. Marie.
Generally speaking, a change of venue application is requested by defence when they believe a fair trial cannot occur in the area where the trial is originally scheduled.
Jones is facing a murder charge for the Sept. 7, 2023 killing of 22-year old Taylor Marshall and an attempted murder charge for a brutal boardwalk assault that left Liam Frenette with serious injuries.
The allegations against Jones have not been tested in court, and he is considered innocent unless proven guilty.