Dangerous offender hearing set to begin for N.S. crime figure Brian James Marriott – Halifax

A court is set to begin hearing an application today to have a Nova Scotia man who was alleged to be the ringleader in the brutal beating of a fellow inmate declared a dangerous offender.

A Nova Scotia judge has noted previously that Brian James Marriott has a long record of violent crimes, dating back at least 20 years.

Rick Woodburn, the prosecutor in the case, said the Crown needs to meet a series of tests under Section 753 of the Criminal Code, including showing the offender poses a threat to the lives and safety of others and has repeatedly shown himself unable to restrain his violent behaviour.

Woodburn said having Marriott declared a dangerous offender could then lead to the judge imposing a sentence that would include long-term supervision, or an indeterminate sentence, where the National Parole Board would have to approve his release.

Marriott pleaded guilty in February to aggravated assault in connection with the 2019 beating and stabbing of inmate Stephen Anderson at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility, in Dartmouth, N.S.

Justice Jamie Campbell stated in a hearing that Marriott has been involved with the criminal justice system from the age of 13 and, from the age of 20 has essentially been incarcerated in various federal prisons.

The Crown has alleged that Marriott set off the 2019 jailhouse violence, which involved 14 other inmates. Prosecutors applied to have him declared a dangerous offender on April 25.

Campbell will preside over the application hearing, which is scheduled to go until Jan. 27 in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Halifax.

In earlier decisions, Campbell found 12 inmates guilty of aggravated assault and one of obstructing correctional officers, saying there was substantial evidence the attack was planned by prisoners.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 16, 2023.

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