$1 million bail granted to Ont. man facing first-degree murder in death of father of four
Warning: Some readers may find the details in this article disturbing.
An Ontario man accused of killing a father of four whose remains were later discovered across parts of Simcoe County and Muskoka has been granted bail.
Tony Lucia of Woodbridge, Ont., had been behind bars since his September arrest in connection with Morris Conte's death in 2010.
Conte went missing 12 years ago after telling his family he was meeting a friend for coffee.
The Bolton man was 45 at the time of his death.
Police said his dismembered body parts were found in the Sugarbush area of Oro-Medonte, on Maplehurst Road in Lake of Bays, and on Stoneleigh Road in Bracebridge.
Investigators noted Conte's remains were easily found, saying what was done with his body could have been a message or warning to others.
They did not expand on those remarks.
In 2011, Lucia's son was arrested and charged with accessory after death and committing an indignity to a human body. Those charges were later withdrawn.
The OPP continues to offer a $50,000 reward for any information on the case.
Outside the Orangeville courthouse on Monday, Lucia's defence lawyer, Cosmo Galluzzo, said getting his client bail was "just step one."
"I mean, the judge heard all the arguments that was made, what the evidence against Mr. Lucia was, and we think he came to the right decision in having a release order," said Galluzzo.
Lucia's bail was set to over $1 million. He will be fitted for an ankle bracelet upon his release.
A publication ban limits the details that can be reported from the bail hearing.
The allegations against Lucia have not been tested in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery caught on video
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.