All Three Accused in Sharif Rahman Case Expected to Enter Pleas June 5 in Owen Sound Court
Robert Evans Jr., his father Robert Busby Evans Sr., and uncle Barry Evans are all scheduled to appear in person June 5 for resolution of their charges.
All three men charged in connection with the fatal assault of Owen Sound restaurant owner Sharif Rahman are now scheduled to appear together in Owen Sound court on June 5 for a resolution date.
Robert Evans Jr., charged with manslaughter, appeared by video from CNCC North on Thursday, April 30. Wearing an orange jumpsuit, with his hair grown slightly longer and parted to the side, he appeared unsmiling before the court at 11:52 a.m.
Counsel C. LaPierre appeared as agent for Adam Weisberg, who represents Evans Jr. The court learned that a judicial pre-trial in Evans Jr.’s matter was held April 24, the same day as pre-trials for his father and uncle.
After confirming with the court that Evans Jr. has co-accused, the defence requested an adjournment for resolution, estimating one hour would be required. The court scheduled the matter for June 5.
On Wednesday, May 6, Barry Evans — uncle to Robert Evans Jr. and brother to Robert Busby Evans Sr. — appeared by video from CNCC North just after 9 a.m., also in an orange jumpsuit. Justice Kathryn Kellough presided, with Crown Mehta appearing for the prosecution.
No defence counsel was on the line for Barry Evans. Duty counsel Janet King advised the court she did not have instructions at that time.
Crown Mehta told the court a judicial pre-trial had been held April 24.
“I believe all the matters are going to resolve, and I have a pleas date for June 5, 2026,” Mehta said.
The court scheduled Barry Evans’s matter for June 5, also for an in-person appearance, with all three co-accused to be brought to court in person on a warrant of remand for a plea and sentencing.
Robert Busby Evans Sr. — also identified in court and on a passport as Justin Jones — appeared in Ontario Court of Justice on April 28 and is similarly scheduled for June 5. The Crown previously indicated Evans Sr. would be in a “time served position” by that date, which is why it was selected.
The June 5 hearing now appears poised to address all three co-accused at once. None of the allegations have been proven in court, and no guilty pleas have yet been entered.
The three men were charged in relation to the fatal assault on Rahman outside The Curry House in downtown Owen Sound in August 2023. Rahman died in hospital days after the assault, sparking widespread public outcry and calls for justice.
The dispute is reported to have arisen from an unpaid dinner bill at Rahman’s restaurant. At least three men — Barry Evans, Robert Evans Jr., and a brother who was not charged in this case — are alleged to have dined at The Curry House late the evening of August 17, 2023, and refused to pay their bill.
After Rahman pursued the men out his front door, Evans Jr. allegedly punched the restaurateur with such force that his head struck the ground. Rahman never regained consciousness and died one week later in a London trauma centre.
Robert Evans Jr. is charged with manslaughter. His father, Robert Busby Evans Sr., and uncle Barry Evans are each charged with accessory after the fact.
Evans Sr. is alleged to have planned his son’s flight back to the United Kingdom and arranged his transport to Pearson International Airport on August 18, 2023. Barry Evans is alleged to have returned to the Travelodge in Owen Sound twice — first to retrieve the group’s cash deposit, and again to collect his ID and registration information.
The family and at least one other man from the United Kingdom are believed to be Irish Travellers who came to Canada on tourism visas — two with passports issued in other names — and worked for a company called Total Paving through the summer of 2023.
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