Barrie man accused of partner’s murder appears in court, seeking disclosure of evidence

Warning: Details in this article may be disturbing and triggering to some readers.

A 46-year-old Barrie, Ont. man accused of second-degree murder following the discovery of his common law partner’s remains, made a brief court appearance on Tuesday from jail.

Tony, also known as Vito, Chimienti appeared in a virtual Barrie courtroom requesting disclosure from the Crown. Chimienti has been behind bars for three weeks since his arrest in early November in Stouffville, according to Barrie police.

Chimienti is the man investigators believe murdered his longtime partner Sacha Charles, 46, in late October, as police allege in court documents obtained by CTV News.

Police made the discovery of Charles’ remains days after appealing for the public’s help finding Charles and Chimienti along with a missing U-Haul cube truck. The U-Haul had been seen for months parked in front of Chimienti’s home along McVeigh Drive in Barrie.

The home, the couple shared, was under construction for the better part of the year, according to those who live in the neighbourhood who said police spent several days collecting evidence and towing away a white Mercedes and dumpster from the driveway.

Police have not revealed the circumstances of the alleged murder including where and how the remains were discovered.

Loved ones describe Charles as a devoted aunt, sister, daughter, and mother, saying her two young children were her world.

Chimienti has also been charged with possession of cocaine.

Yet to hire a lawyer, Chimienti is scheduled to make his next court appearance by video from jail in early December. The allegations against him have not been tested in court.