The trial of a man co-accused of murdering a Toronto area woman in Chatham two years ago has been granted a change of venue.
The Chatham Assignment Court heard on Monday morning that Jeffrey Davis, 46, will have his murder trial in Kitchener.
The change of venue is no surprise as the court was told previously that Davis' murder trial may not be held in Chatham due to security issues.
His trial was expected sometime this year, but Davis requested to change his lawyer and was waiting for approval.
His judicial pre-trial continues with pre-trial motions set for January 4, 2027.
The case of Davis' co-accused, Shaquille Belle, will follow the same path. Belle was charged in September 2025, several months after Davis.
Both men remain in custody charged with the murder of 27-year-old Louise Thomson of Milton, who was found dead at a home on William Street South in Chatham in June 2024.
The two cases are under publication bans that prevent more information from being made public.
Meanwhile, the prosecution is seeking changes to the murder trial of a man accused of murdering another man in Tilbury in 2023.
Ken Baylis, 37, had his two-week trial tentatively scheduled to begin on November 8, but the Crown wants to change the trial from judge and jury to judge alone.
The Baylis murder trial will return to Chatham Assignment Court on November 16 to determine how it will proceed.
Baylis was to have his trial dates confirmed on Monday, pending a resolution that has been in the works for numerous months and a decision on whether the trial will be judge and jury or judge alone.
Delay continues to be a concern for the court as the time limit to hold a trial for Baylis lapsed in October 2025. Unreasonable delay of a trial can result in charges being permanently stayed or dismissed.
Baylis was charged with second-degree murder in April 2023 after Daniel Marchand, 45, was reported missing and later found dead at a home on Dufferin Avenue in Tilbury.
The case is under a publication ban, and evidence cannot be reported.
