Trial dates put on record for Orillia man charged with murder

Orillia man Christopher Scully is accused of second-degree murder in the death of Fabian Crawford in 2023.

The 55-year-old Orillia man accused of second-degree murder at a rural Ramara Township property in late 2023 could be heading to trial.

Christopher Scully appeared in a virtual courtroom Monday afternoon from jail at Central North Correctional Centre in Penetanguishene for his judicial pre-trial proceedings, during which Justice Michelle Fuerst put three weeks next January on the record for a jury trial.

Scully is accused of second-degree murder in the death of 48-year-old Fabian Crawford. Police believe Scully murdered Crawford at the property along County Road 169 near Monck Road Nov. 11, 2023.

Police won’t confirm how Crawford died or if he was stabbed. Loved ones, however, said he was visiting a neighbour’s home on the property when there was a verbal argument involving an acquaintance and Crawford was then attacked with a weapon.

Those who knew Crawford described the father of two teenage girls as a generous and kind soul, respected family man and business owner who ran a landscaping company. The rural property had several homes, including trailers, on it. One mobile home was surrounded by police tape in the days that followed.

Police have also not confirmed how or if Crawford and Scully knew one another.

Scully appeared clean shaven with his hair slicked back in a pony tail and was wearing an orange jumpsuit for the twenty-minute court appearance. It was one of about half a dozen since the summer involving the Crown and defence lawyer Chris Hanson who insists his Scully did not commit murder.

The next judicial pretrial date is scheduled in March. The allegations against Christopher Scully have not been tested in court.