With visible cuts and bruises around his nose and right eye, Sean Haverty made his first in-person court appearance Monday.
The 48-year-old is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Chris Schweitzer, who was found dead near the Guelph intersection of Tiffany and Woolwich streets last week.
Few details have been released regarding the circumstances of Schweitzer’s death.
Friends of the 38-year-old say he was shot, although there has been no confirmation of those claims.
A publication ban prevents media outlets from reporting on evidence heard in court Monday.
At the end of the appearance, Haverty – who had a number of friends and family members in the gallery – was returned to custody.
His next court appearance is scheduled for July 15.
At the drop-in centre on Baker Street, friends and acquaintances honoured Schweitzer’s memory Monday evening with a pizza party.
Earlier in the day, people at the centre remembered Schweitzer as quiet yet funny, friendly yet soft-spoken.
“I would consider him a gentle giant,” said Meghan Stamp.
“He would give the shirt off of his back to anyone that needed it.”
Jack Schweitzer – no relation to Chris – said Chris Schweitzer would come into the centre on a regular basis.
Often accompanied by his wife, Jack Schweitzer said, he would quickly become the centre of attention.
“He would sit down at the table, and other people would be sitting down with him immediately,” he said.
