A man, identified as Stewart Malcolm Scott Craig, aged 42, with no fixed address, has been charged with second-degree murder following the death of Harrison Peters, 34, in uptown Saint John on Wednesday night. The incident occurred at 101 Carleton St., where authorities responded to a call reporting a disturbance at approximately 10:45 p.m. Neighbors in the multi-unit building alerted the police.
Upon arrival, officers discovered Peters unconscious with severe injuries. Despite receiving first aid, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The police, led by Staff Sgt. Sarah Hobbs, are treating the case as a murder based on the evidence collected, including the victim’s injuries. Hobbs refrained from disclosing specifics regarding the cause of death or any weapons involved but mentioned the belief that the victim was acquainted with the perpetrator.
Following the arrest of Craig, who appeared in court with his hands restrained, the judge postponed the proceedings until September 22 to allow time for the processing of his legal aid application. Craig is expected to remain in custody until the next court date, where further legal steps will be determined. Second-degree murder, which does not involve premeditation, carries a mandatory life sentence with a parole eligibility period ranging from 10 to 25 years.
Despite the arrest, the investigation by the major crime unit continues, and anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the Saint John Police Force or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
