Man accused of second-degree murder appears in court

An Orillia man accused of second-degree murder on a rural property last November appeared in a virtual Barrie courtroom Monday.

Five preliminary hearing dates were confirmed. The dates will likely determine whether Scully goes to trial.

A clean-shaven Scully, 54, is charged with the murder of 48-year-old Fabian Crawford at the property along County Road 169 near Monck Road on November 11, 2023.

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Scully, who has been in custody since his arrest, is represented by defence lawyer Chris Hanson.

Those who knew Crawford described the father of two teenage girls as a generous and kind soul.

“Fabian was the most outstanding nicest guy in the world,” said his longtime friend Adam Hales in the days following Crawford’s passing. “He was always there to help his friends; anytime you needed him, he was there for you.”

Crawford’s friends say he was a respected family man and business owner who ran a landscaping company. The rural property had several homes, including trailers, on it.

Police won’t confirm how Crawford died or if he was stabbed; however, loved ones say he was visiting a neighbour’s home on the property when there was a verbal argument involving an acquaintance, and Crawford was then attacked with a weapon.

Police also haven’t confirmed how Crawford and Scully knew one another.

Scully’s preliminary hearing begins on October 4. The allegations against him have not been tested in court.