A Moncton-area man has been acquitted of multiple firearms and drug charges connected to a fatal home invasion at his Berry Mills residence in 2025, after the Crown told court it would present no evidence in the case.
Andrew Minifie had been scheduled to stand trial in Moncton provincial court this week. Instead, Crown lawyer Lisanne Maurice told Judge Ami Assignon that the prosecution could not meet its obligation in the matter and would not call evidence. The Crown did not provide further information about why it was unable to proceed.
“I will find the defendant not guilty on all of the charges,” Judge Ami Assignon said in court.
Defence lawyer Stan MacDonald appeared by phone and asked that the charges be dismissed. Minifie, who was in court, agreed to the dismissal. He then left the courthouse. The ruling ended the proceedings against him on the charges arising from the investigation at the Berry Mills property.
Charges linked to events after the invasion
The charges were alleged to have occurred on Feb. 8, 2025, two days after a fatal home invasion took place at Minifie’s home. Berry Mills is a community near Moncton. The source report does not identify the person who died, describe the circumstances of the invasion in further detail or state whether anyone else has been charged in connection with it.
The allegations against Minifie covered firearms, weapons and drugs. They included possessing firearms for a dangerous purpose and failing to safely store multiple firearms. He was also charged with possessing prohibited knives and extendable batons. The drug allegations involved cocaine and cannabis, both allegedly held for the purpose of trafficking.
| Category | Allegations reported in court |
|---|---|
| Firearms | Possession for a dangerous purpose and unsafe storage of multiple firearms |
| Other weapons | Possession of prohibited knives and extendable batons |
| Drugs | Cocaine and cannabis allegedly possessed for trafficking |
Proceedings ended without evidence
The decision followed a brief appearance rather than a contested trial. Because the Crown presented no evidence, the court did not hear a trial record on the allegations listed in the charge information. The source report does not give a reason for the Crown’s decision, and no additional explanation was provided in court.
For residents in the Moncton area, the case connects a serious violent incident in a nearby rural community with questions about firearms, prohibited weapons and alleged drug trafficking. It also illustrates how a scheduled prosecution can end before witnesses or exhibits are presented when the Crown is unable to proceed. The available information does not establish the reasons behind that development.
The case involved the following main points:
- The home invasion occurred at a Berry Mills residence in 2025 and was fatal.
- The charges against Minifie were alleged to have taken place two days later, on Feb. 8, 2025.
- Judge Assignon found Minifie not guilty after the Crown offered no evidence.
The acquittal applies to the firearms, weapons and drug charges described in the case. No further court action involving Minifie was identified in the source report.
