Canada - James Schwalm arrested after wife Ashley Schwalm was found dead in a burning vehicle after a single car accident

[Eli9]

Love having locals involved on a case but you'll need to review the site rules to see what you can post publicly and please consider going through the verification process to become an insider.

Police upgrade murder charge for husband accused of killing wife

James Schwalm is now facing a first-degree murder charge

www.orilliamatters.com

James Schwalm was in bail court today where the charges were updated. He remains in custody, but the charges have not been proven in court.

 

[Sleepyhollow11]

I can't stop thinking about this story... I checked the court registry and both a Jesse and James Schwalm were listed so maybe they are related?

 

[Eli9]

I can't stop thinking about this story... I checked the court registry and both a Jesse and James Schwalm were listed so maybe they are related?

Yes I see that too but notice that the listing for James Schwalm is indicating First Appearance so I think that's the one! Nice find and welcome!

 

[Armchairfbi]

Would there be a ban to protect the children? I believe they are potential witnesses. <modsnip>

 

[Eli9]

Would there be a ban to protect the children? I believe they are potential witnesses. <modsnip>

Welcome @Armchairfbi ! Yes I think the ban could apply to the children as potential witnesses. I'm wondering if one can argue for the ban based upon their occupation eg; law enforcement/fire/judge etc. What's interesting to me is that several MSM outlets have updates on this case with the latest court appearance. Perhaps, and I really hope, the ban was modified/lifted/eased. There isn't much to speculate (within the TOS of this site) unless we've got people named and MSM sources. Again. Thank you for joining.

 

[Eli9]

JS will be in Barrie court again on March 3, 2023. The article linked below has a photo of AS. She was lovely.

Ex-Brampton firefighter now facing first-degree murder charge in death of wife Ashley Schwalm

The upgraded charge means the Crown believes there is evidence Ashley Schwalm’s death was planned and deliberate. Her body was found in a crashed car near Collingwood last month.

www.thestar.com

James Schwalm, 38, was initially charged with second-degree murder and indignity to a body. The upgraded charge means the Crown believes there is evidence the killing was planned and deliberate. He remains charged with indignity to a dead body.

The OPP has not said how the mother of two young children died. But witnesses saw forensic officers at the couple’s home for days.

On Friday, the prosecutor read out a long list of no-contact orders that has grown to include 21 people, including Schwalm’s parents and his two young children. The justice of the peace asked Schwalm if he had any difficulty with those restrictions.

“It will be difficult not to (speak) to my mom or dad but I understand,” Schwalm replied in Zoom remand court wearing an orange jumpsuit and sitting in a jailhouse video room.

 

[backyarddetective]

His name is on the Barrie court docket for today. No initials this time

 

[Eli9]

His name is on the Barrie court docket for today. No initials this time

Interesting. I'm betting that the media ban has been lifted or modified. That's good because we will see more reporting in MSM.

 

[scapa]

Used to ski and race at the ski club to which they belonged and knew her family via that connection.

Very odd case. <modsnip> Might be a while before we know more.

 

[Eli9]

Sounds like LE has found their crime scene.

Former fire captain James Schwalm makes court appearance in death of his wife

A Brampton, Ont. fire captain charged with murder in the death of his wife appeared in court on Friday.

barrie.ctvnews.ca

James Schwalm has been behind bars for 29 days, charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife Ashley in late January inside their Collingwood, Ont. home.
..
Court documents show Schwalm is also charged with committing an indignity to a body. Police allege Schwalm murdered his wife sometime between Jan. 25 and Jan. 26 at their Collingwood home, then interfered with and moved her body before burning it in the fiery crash.
..
The Brampton Professional Fire Fighters have organized a campaign to support the couple's children.
According to organizers, the campaign has raised more than $102,000 since it was launched with the blessing of the Schwalm and Milnes families.

Both he and his lawyer will return to court later this month.

 

[Knitty]

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[backyarddetective]

Anything new? Haven’t heard much

 

[Eli9]

Anything new? Haven’t heard much

Thanks for bumping. I have continued to search for more information but it seems this case has dropped off in main stream media. It's very frustrating!

 

[Eli9]

Collingwood man accused of murdering wife will go to trial

James Schwalm appeared in a Collingwood courtroom today to waive his right to a preliminary hearing and proceed to Superior Court

www.collingwoodtoday.ca

Through his lawyer, Joelle Klein, he waived his right to the preliminary hearing, prompting the judge to commit Schwalm to trial via the Superior Court of Justice.
..
Since Schwalm waived this right, the case will proceed to the Superior Court with the next date set for May 13 in Barrie.

 

[Snoopy70]

Collingwood man accused of murdering wife will go to trial

James Schwalm appeared in a Collingwood courtroom today to waive his right to a preliminary hearing and proceed to Superior Court

www.collingwoodtoday.ca

Through his lawyer, Joelle Klein, he waived his right to the preliminary hearing, prompting the judge to commit Schwalm to trial via the Superior Court of Justice.
..
Since Schwalm waived this right, the case will proceed to the Superior Court with the next date set for May 13 in Barrie.

I see there hasn't been many updates, interesting the judge would comment that a resolution is expected. I was a neighbour, I spoke to Ashley occasionally, we also attended the same fitness classes prior to COVID, she was very sweet!! He also seemed odd to me. Not personable. There is a firefighter that comes in to my work. He says the evidence is overwhelming, hopefully it all comes out one day. A very sad case

 

[Snoopy70]

I see there hasn't been many updates, interesting the judge would comment that a resolution is expected. I was a neighbour, I spoke to Ashley occasionally, we also attended the same fitness classes prior to COVID, she was very sweet!! He also seemed odd to me. Not personable. There is a firefighter that comes in to my work. He says the evidence is overwhelming, hopefully it all comes out one day. A very sad case

Publication ban is most definitely for the children, they would have been witnesses to an altercation and lets face it the kids have access to screens and could read all the horrible details.

 

[Eli9]

Thanks for bumping @Snoopy70

May 28, 2024

Resolution 'anticipated' next month for man accused of killing wife

Former firefighter James Schwalm facing first-degree murder charge following January 2023 death of Ashley Schwalm

www.barrietoday.com

In pre-trial on Tuesday, Justice Michelle Fuerst announced the matter would be before the Superior Court in Barrie again on June 20 for an in-person appearance and "anticipated resolution."


James Schwalm is charged with first-degree murder and indignity to a dead body.

 

[backyarddetective]

Ex-Ontario firefighter pleads guilty to wife’s murder after body found in flaming car | Globalnews.ca

A Collingwood man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in a case involving his wife in which her body found inside a burning SUV more than a year ago.

globalnews.ca

 

[backyarddetective]

Well his sentencing is in September. My guess is life without parole for 15 years!

 

[Snoopster]

Ex-Ontario firefighter pleads guilty to wife’s murder after body found in flaming car | Globalnews.ca

A Collingwood man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in a case involving his wife in which her body found inside a burning SUV more than a year ago.

globalnews.ca

from that article:

However, the two got into an argument late that night. James’ son woke up to his parents arguing, and heard his mother ask him to call police, but James told him to go back to sleep.

Later, he opened his door to find his father crying. He said it was around 3 a.m. when he said his father was going to talk the dog out for a walk. He later noticed the dog was still at home. Neither children ever saw their mother again.

Their poor young son. Imagine how confused and scared he was! :'(