AMHERST, N.S. - A 53-year-old Northport man has been committed to stand trial before a Supreme Court judge and jury for 10 drug and weapons-related charges following the conclusion of a preliminary hearing in Amherst provincial court.
Daren Wayne McCormick will return for a hearing to set a trial date on Dec. 20 at 9:30 a.m. after the multi-day preliminary hearing wrapped up on Oct. 9.
He was committed to go before the judge and jury for one count of producing cannabis marijuana and possession more than five kilograms of cannabis marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.
He is also facing trial for charges of unsafe storage of a firearm - a revolver and a 410-gauge shotgun – without using a secure locking device, possess a restricted firearm – a revolver – without a licence, possess a firearm – a 410-gauge shotgun under section 91 (1) of the Criminal Code, single counts of unlawful possession of a restricted firearm – a revolver and unlawful possession of a firearm – a 410-gauge shotgun – without a licence under Section 92 (1) of the Criminal Code and two counts of possession of a weapon – a revolver and a 410-gauge shotgun – while prohibited..
Nineteen other charges were discharged at the end of the preliminary hearing.
On two occasions McCormick’s supporters have protested his arrest in front of the Amherst provincial court building on Church Street. His supporters claim McCormick provides medicinal marijuana to those afflicted with cancer and other ailments.
Protestors return to Amherst Justice Centre
Searches in Amherst, Northport result in charges against two
In September 2017, a month after his arrest, his supporters established the #free-Daren hashtag and the Facebook page EAST-Canada Friends offered its support of McCormick.
McCormick was arrested on Aug. 23, 2017 when RCMP and Amherst Police executed a search warrant of his Northport home, seizing marijuana plants, drug paraphernalia a shotgun and 10 handguns.
