Cassandra Desmond charged with attempted murder

Cassandra Desmond has been charged with attempted murder after a stabbing in Antigonish on Monday night.

RCMP say they were called to an assault at an establishment on College Street at about 11:45 p.m. that resulted from an altercation between two groups of people.

A 21-year-old man was found suffering from a stab wound to his abdomen. Nobody else was injured, police said.

Desmond, 30, of Antigonish, and a 27-year-old man were arrested at the scene. No charges were laid against the man.

The Crown opposed Desmond’s release when she appeared in Antigonish provincial court Wednesday for a bail hearing on a charge of attempted murder.

After hearing evidence and submissions, Judge Bill Digby released Desmond on $2,000 bail with two sureties, including her sister Chantel.

The judge prohibited Desmond from having any weapons and possessing or consuming alcohol. He also ordered her to stay away from bars, liquor stores and any other establishments whose primary business is the sale of alcohol.

Desmond must observe a 9 p.m.-6 a.m. curfew unless she’s dealing with a medical emergency for her or one of her three children. She also cannot have contact with the victim of the stabbing and must remain away from his residence, place of employment or place of education.

Desmond will reappear in court Jan. 26.

Cassandra Desmond is the sister of Cpl. Lionel Desmond, an Afghan War veteran who — five years earlier to the day of the stabbing on College Street — killed his wife Shanna, 10-year-old daughter Aaliyah and mother Brenda in their Upper Big Tracadie home before taking his own life.

Cassandra testified at the Desmond fatality inquiry into what led to the killings.