Man accused of ending longtime friend's life appears in court
On Wednesday, the 25-year-old man accused of killing his longtime friend and dumping his body made a court appearance in Barrie.
Gabriel DiCecco, who has been behind bars since his arrest seven months ago, sat in the prisoner’s box in a trial-scheduling courtroom as his lawyer set dates for a preliminary hearing.
DiCecco is charged with first-degree murder following the death of his friend, 24-year-old William Schernhammer of Alliston, who went missing on the night of January 12 when he told ones he was heading out to buy cigarettes with a friend.
DiCecco was arrested in late January and charged with committing an indignity to a dead body and obstructing a peace officer.
The first-degree murder charge came three weeks after Schernhammer was reported missing. Loved ones said DiCecco picked William up to grab cigarettes from a nearby gas station in Alliston. For days, they appealed for the public’s help to bring him home. His family never saw William alive again.
Schernhammer’s body was found in late January in the area of the 25th sideroad in Adjala-Tosorontio. Investigators have not confirmed how Schernhammer died or whether there are other suspects involved.
In June, however, police released a photo and video on social media asking for the public’s help finding what appeared to be a light-coloured vehicle, possibly a Buick LeSabre from 2000-2005. The vehicle was seen in the area around the time of Schernhammer’s disappearance.
Investigators believe the driver and those inside the car have information on the case.
DiCecco is scheduled to appear at the Bradford courthouse later this month.
The allegations against him have not been proven in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air Canada begins preparations for shutdown due to 'inflexible' union demands
Air Canada is finalizing plans to suspend most of its operations, likely beginning Sunday, as talks with the pilot union are nearing an impasse over 'inflexible' wage demands, the country's largest airline said on Monday.
Justin Trudeau may be in for an earful as he meets with caucus in B.C.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau may be bracing for an earful from his caucus when Liberal MPs gather in Nanaimo, B.C. today to plot their strategy for the coming election year.
PWHL unveils team nicknames and logos entering women's hockey league's second season
In a process nearly a year in the making, the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Monday unveiled the nicknames and logos for each of its six franchises entering its second season.
Former fashion tycoon Peter Nygard's long-delayed sentencing expected today
Former fashion mogul Peter Nygard is expected to be sentenced for his sexual assault convictions today, after multiple delays in the case that have stretched for months.
Apple's upcoming iPhone will catapult the tech trendsetter into the age of AI
Apple's ubiquitous iPhone is about to break new ground with a shift into artificial intelligence that will do everything from smartening up its frequently dim-witted assistant Siri to creating customized emojis on the fly.
Trial begins over Texas 'Trump Train' highway confrontation
A federal trial is set to begin Monday over claims that supporters of former U.S. president Donald Trump threatened and harassed a Biden-Harris campaign bus in Texas four years ago, disrupting the campaign on the last day of early voting.
'Shogun' wins record-breaking 14 Emmys at Creative Arts ceremony as Jamie Lee Curtis gets her first
'Shogun' won the most Emmys ever for a single season of a television series with 14 at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sunday night, while 'The Bear' won seven including best guest actress in a comedy series for Jamie Lee Curtis.
Judge expected to sentence protesters at Coutts border protest
A judge is expected to hand down sentences today for two men convicted for their roles in the 2022 Coutts, Alta., border blockade.
Couche-Tard says it's committed to purchase of 7-Eleven owner, outlines its case
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. says it is 'disappointed' in a refusal of its takeover offer by the Japanese owner of 7-Eleven and remains focused on reaching a deal.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Kitchener
-
Over 200 firearms seized in weapons investigation: Waterloo Regional Police
According to police, during a traffic stop in Waterloo, officers noticed firearms and ammunition inside the vehicle.
-
Grieving mother planning peaceful protest at Rockwood OPP station
Faye Dzikewich continues to fight for answers for her 36-year-old son, who died after spending the night in an Ontario Provincial Police cell in Rockwood, Ont.
-
At least 16 vehicles stolen from Cambridge in just over three weeks
More than a dozen vehicles have been stolen from Cambridge since mid-August.
London
-
Pedestrian dragged by vehicle
Owen Sound police are searching for witnesses after a pedestrian was dragged by a vehicle.
-
video
video ‘Not checking out yet’: Woman with incurable cancer vows to keep fighting
Heather Appleton just renewed her passport for another ten years. “I’m not checking out yet,” said Appleton, 61, who has the incurable cancer, Multiple Myeloma.
-
Arrests made in Sarnia break and enter investigation
Sarnia police officers have arrested two suspects after a break and enter investigation.
Windsor
-
Fire crews investigating blaze at former Windsor school
Windsor fire was on scene of a blaze at a former school on Norman Road Sunday afternoon.
-
One dead following collision on Lauzon Parkway and Lauzon Line
One person has died following a collision Saturday night.
-
Car fire leads to impaired charges: OPP
The Essex County OPP have laid charges following a single vehicle collision and car fire.
Northern Ontario
-
54-year-old G1 driver did not have required ignition interlock, crashes vehicle on Hwy. 11, police say
Ontario Provincial Police say a 54-year-old novice driver was travelling with drugs and without a required ignition interlock device or a qualified driver in the vehicle when it ended up in the ditch off Highway 11 last month, leading to multiple charges including impaired driving.
-
Sudbury police continue to investigate teen's disappearance 11 years later
Wednesday marks 11 years since Sudbury teen Meagan Pilon was reported missing and police are appealing to the public again for information.
-
Does the Manitoulin Island swing bridge need replacing sooner rather than later?
Another politician has added his voice to the call to have the timeline to build a new bridge in Little Current to connect Manitoulin Island to the mainland sped up.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
Sudbury police continue to investigate teen's disappearance 11 years later
Wednesday marks 11 years since Sudbury teen Meagan Pilon was reported missing and police are appealing to the public again for information.
-
Musician Dany Laj returns to northern Ont. with his band
A Montreal-based power pop band with strong ties to northern Ontario is kicking off its new tour in North Bay at the end of the month followed by three other northern stops.
-
Does the Manitoulin Island swing bridge need replacing sooner rather than later?
Another politician has added his voice to the call to have the timeline to build a new bridge in Little Current to connect Manitoulin Island to the mainland sped up.
Ottawa
-
Federal employees now required to be in the office 3 days a week
As tens of thousands of public servants return to the office for a minimum of three days a week this week, public service unions continue to oppose the federal government's new hybrid work policy.
-
PWHL unveils Ottawa Charge team name and logo
Ottawa's professional women's hockey team will be called the Charge.
-
OC Transpo insists capacity is 'sufficient' to meet demand as public service workers return to the office
The head of OC Transpo insists there is "sufficient additional capacity" available on OC Transpo buses and the O-Train as federal public servants return to the office this week.
Toronto
-
Former fashion tycoon Peter Nygard's long-delayed sentencing expected today
Former fashion mogul Peter Nygard is expected to be sentenced for his sexual assault convictions today, after multiple delays in the case that have stretched for months.
-
PWHL unveils team nicknames and logos entering women's hockey league's second season
In a process nearly a year in the making, the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Monday unveiled the nicknames and logos for each of its six franchises entering its second season.
-
Man struck and killed by vehicle in North York: police
A man has died in hospital after he was reportedly struck by a vehicle in North York, Toronto police say.
Montreal
-
Unions face uphill battle organizing Amazon warehouses in Canada: experts
Unions trying to organize at Amazon workplaces across Canada are facing a series of hurdles, including legal challenges and alleged anti-union tactics from the e-commerce giant.
-
PWHL reveals names, logos for all six franchises ahead of second season
The Professional Women’s Hockey League has unveiled long-awaited team names and logos for all six franchises.
-
Man targeted by gunfire in Longueuil
A man in his 20s was the target of gunfire in Longueuil, on Montreal's South Shore.
Atlantic
-
N.B. Liberals officially launch election bid before official start of fall campaign
The New Brunswick Liberals got a jump on the province's coming fall election by officially launching their party's campaign on Sunday, saying they're focused on addressing affordability and improving the ailing health-care system.
-
Air Canada begins preparations for shutdown due to 'inflexible' union demands
Air Canada is finalizing plans to suspend most of its operations, likely beginning Sunday, as talks with the pilot union are nearing an impasse over 'inflexible' wage demands, the country's largest airline said on Monday.
-
Residents of new affordable housing in Dartmouth begin moving in
The first residents of the 32 new affordable homes for women and their children in Dartmouth, N.S., have moved in, with more to follow in the coming weeks.
Winnipeg
-
Former fashion tycoon Peter Nygard's long-delayed sentencing expected today
Former fashion mogul Peter Nygard is expected to be sentenced for his sexual assault convictions today, after multiple delays in the case that have stretched for months.
-
Indigenous leaders mourn loss of ‘warrior’ Grand Chief Cathy Merrick
Indigenous leaders came together Saturday to honour the life and legacy of Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Cathy Merrick.
-
A frenzy of fur and fuzz as the Teddy Bears' Picnic makes its return
A cavalcade of teddy bears and the kids who love them made a return to Assiniboine Park Sunday.
Calgary
-
Senior dead after being hit by car in Airdrie
Airdrie RCMP are investigating after a 72-year-old man was struck and killed early Sunday morning.
-
Calgary's water use back in 'unsustainable' territory
After dipping below the threshold of unsustainable water usage for one day, Calgary is back up into the red area.
-
Judge expected to sentence protesters at Coutts border protest
A judge is expected to hand down sentences today for two men convicted for their roles in the 2022 Coutts, Alta., border blockade.
Edmonton
-
'Beautiful in its own way': New forest emerges in Jasper National Park, bringing protection and new opportunities
Charred stumps and the remains of fire-ravaged trees still cover large tracts of land on the Jasper landscape, but life is returning quickly down below.
-
'It's morally wrong': A rural Alberta town reacts to homeless shelter closure
At the end of a side street in Slave Lake, Alta., Lynn Bowes looks at a grey job-site trailer with boarded-up windows and doors that once operated as her town's only homeless shelter.
-
Air Canada begins preparations for shutdown due to 'inflexible' union demands
Air Canada is finalizing plans to suspend most of its operations, likely beginning Sunday, as talks with the pilot union are nearing an impasse over 'inflexible' wage demands, the country's largest airline said on Monday.
Regina
-
Saskatchewan's police watchdog investigating after death on Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation
Saskatchewan's Serious Incident Response (SIRT) is investigating after a man died as a result of police action on Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation.
-
Air Canada begins preparations for shutdown due to 'inflexible' union demands
Air Canada is finalizing plans to suspend most of its operations, likely beginning Sunday, as talks with the pilot union are nearing an impasse over 'inflexible' wage demands, the country's largest airline said on Monday.
-
Queen City Marathon returns to Regina
Regina's annual Queen City Marathon took place on Sunday, and it attracted quite the crowd. The start and finish line at the Conexus Arts Centre hosted people of all skill levels looking to try their hand at a race.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatchewan's police watchdog investigating after death on Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation
Saskatchewan's Serious Incident Response (SIRT) is investigating after a man died as a result of police action on Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation.
-
Online fundraisers launch for victims after Saskatoon student set on fire
Online fundraisers have been launched to support the victims of an incident that saw a student set on fire at Evan Hardy Collegiate on Thursday.
-
Annual walk held in memory of Baeleigh Maurice in Saskatoon
Three years have gone by since the death of nine-year-old Baeleigh Maurice at the intersection of 33rd St. W. and Avenue G. Three years marked by court dates, committee meetings, and pleas to the city to improve safety conditions.
Vancouver
-
'It's terrifying': B.C. business owner fears store being targeted after latest break-in attempt
An attempted break-in to a Metro Vancouver business was caught on camera this weekend, leaving the owner with a terrifying sense of déjà vu.
-
B.C. man on the hook for strata's $15K in legal fees, tribunal finds
The "volume and severity" of complaints against a B.C. condo owner for violating building bylaws were sufficient to justify hiring a lawyer to handle them, a tribunal has ruled, dismissing the man's bid to be let off the hook for $15,000 in legal fees.
-
Relief from hazy skies coming to Metro Vancouver: regional district
Metro Vancouver has been under hazy skies due to wildfire smoke wafting into the region from the U.S, but conditions are expected to change Monday.
Vancouver Island
-
Dog mauled to death in B.C. yard after 3 pit bulls jump fence: police
A 12-year-old collie was killed by three pit bulls in the B.C. Interior Sunday morning, according to authorities.
-
B.C. man on the hook for strata's $15K in legal fees, tribunal finds
The "volume and severity" of complaints against a B.C. condo owner for violating building bylaws were sufficient to justify hiring a lawyer to handle them, a tribunal has ruled, dismissing the man's bid to be let off the hook for $15,000 in legal fees.
-
B.C. First Nation offers reward for information in missing woman case
Mounties in Northern B.C. have set up a dedicated tip line as part of their ongoing investigation into the disappearance of an Indigenous woman two months ago.
