Preliminary inquiry scheduled for May in Moncton homicide case
A preliminary inquiry has been scheduled for next spring for a man charged with first-degree murder after a man was found with serious injuries outside a Moncton shelter in August.
James Hannah, 30, remains in custody after being arrested Aug. 31 and charged the following day in connection with the death of 34-year-old Zachary Pollock. Court staff confirmed to CBC News that the preliminary inquiry will begin May 10, 2027 and is scheduled to last three days in provincial court.
Where and when the incident occurred
Police allege Pollock was found with what they described as serious injuries in the parking lot outside the Bridge to Home Resource Hub on St. George Street. He was taken to hospital, where he later died of his injuries. RCMP have not disclosed whether the injuries occurred at the shelter or whether a weapon was used.
- Date of alleged homicide: Aug. 26, 2026
- Arrest: Aug. 31, 2026
- Charge: First-degree murder
- Preliminary inquiry: May 10–12, 2027 (three days)
"The murder charge means Hannah would automatically be tried by judge and jury in the Court of King's Bench."
Legal implications and next steps
The purpose of a preliminary inquiry is to determine whether the Crown has sufficient evidence for the matter to proceed to trial. Because Hannah faces a first-degree murder charge, if the case proceeds and there is a conviction, the conviction would carry an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years.
Under Canadian criminal procedure, a preliminary inquiry is held in provincial court and is not a trial on the merits. It provides the defence and the Crown the opportunity to hear evidence and assess whether there is enough to justify sending the accused to the superior court for trial. The scheduling of the three-day hearing in Moncton now sets the judicial timetable for how the case will proceed.
Community and court context
The alleged killing occurred near a local resource hub that serves people experiencing homelessness and vulnerability. Incidents in and around support services can raise concerns among clients, staff and residents about safety and access to essential services. Court appearances and preliminary hearings of this nature are public proceedings, though specific evidence that will be presented at the inquiry has not been released.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Accused | James Hannah, 30 |
| Victim | Zachary Pollock, 34 |
| Location | Parking lot outside Bridge to Home Resource Hub, St. George Street, Moncton |
| Preliminary inquiry | May 10–12, 2027 (scheduled) |
Court staff and police statements have provided the basic timeline of events to date, but details about the evidence the Crown intends to present at the preliminary inquiry have not been made public. The hearing will be a key opportunity for both sides to lay out and test that evidence before a judge decides whether the case should proceed to trial.
Members of the public who rely on services near the Bridge to Home Resource Hub may follow developments through court records and public statements from RCMP as the matter progresses. The seriousness of the charge and the scheduled inquiry underscore the criminal-justice process now unfolding in Moncton.
