Ont. man accused of murder argues to be released from custody
Warning: Some readers may find the details in this article disturbing.
The Woodbridge, Ont. man accused of murdering a father of four who was found dismembered was in bail court Friday, hoping to be released from custody after spending 60 days behind bars.
Tony Lucia sat in the prisoner's box, appearing tired, with his hands cuffed and his head down during the hearing.
His family and friends packed into the Orangeville courtroom in support of the 62-year-old man while his renowned defence lawyers, Cosmo Galluzzo, Marco Sciarra, and Michael Lacy, argued to have him released.
Lucia was arrested in September and charged with first-degree murder in connection with Morris Conte's death 12 years ago.
Conte, who was 45 at the time of his death, disappeared in May 2010.
The Bolton man's family told police he was going to meet a friend for coffee. They never saw him alive again.
That same month, police said Conte's body parts were found scattered across several locations in Oro-Medonte and Muskoka.
At the time of the gruesome discovery, police noted his remains were left in locations where they would be easily found. Investigators said his murder and what was done with his body may have been a message or warning to others.
Morris Conte is pictured in this undated photo. (Supplied)
Lucia's son, Sam, was charged in 2011 with accessory after death and committing an indignity to a human body. The charges were later withdrawn.
The OPP offers a $50,000 reward for information while the Conte family continues to seek answers and justice.
A publication ban protects information presented at the bail hearing.
The hearing is scheduled to continue on Monday with more submissions, though it's unclear when Justice Leonard Ricchetti will make his decision.
The allegations against Lucia have not been tested in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Nearly 20 hours after a man climbed and remained perched on top of the Reconciliation Bridge in downtown Calgary, the situation came to a peaceful resolution.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.