Accused Kingston shooter having difficulty finding legal representation

A man in custody for a shooting in downtown Kingston is having a hard time finding legal representation, but whether that is because of current jail conditions or a refusal to seek help promptly remains to be seen.

On Wednesday, Apr. 2, 2025, Justice of the Peace Ruth Campbell presided over the busy bail court at the Kingston Ontario Court of Justice at 279 Wellington Street. Cameron Floyd Dean appeared by video from Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay, where he has been incarcerated since early January after being arrested in Toronto. 

Dean, who was represented by Kingston lawyer David Crowe in previous appearances, seems to be searching for new representation, but without much success.

Campbell asked who Dean’s lawyer was, to which he responded, “I don't have a lawyer at the moment. I'm trying to retain counsel.” He explained, “I have had two lawyer calls set up with Miss Alison Craig, but the jail here refused me access to my lawyer calls.”

Campbell offered that the duty counsel could contact a lawyer on his behalf.

“Today is the first day that [the prison range] will be unlocked again; they have had us on lockdown for six days due to short staff,” Dean said, using his fingers to mimic quotation marks over ‘short staff.' “But they've been letting out other ranges, so I should be able to call her office again and reschedule a new lawyer call.”

Provincial Crown attorney Shawn Eagles interjected with some background information for Justice Campbell, saying that at Dean's last appearance he was similarly trying to get hold of a different lawyer, but that lawyer did not want to act on his behalf. 

“Duty counsel was going to assist [him getting a new lawyer], but he does not want to come in [to the Kingston court] to do it. Apparently, his dad was helping him, so I don't know if duty counsel had any luck either,” the Crown said.

It was established that Alison Craig is a lawyer in Toronto. Campbell suggested that Dean return next week to confirm counsel.

Duty counsel asked Dean if he had applied for Legal Aid, to which he replied, “Yes, I do have a Legal Aid certificate. It's just been a matter of talking to Alison Craig. Like I said, I've had two lawyer calls set up. The jail refused me access to both of them.”

Campbell confirmed the date for next week and dismissed the accused man. 

As a result of an investigation, Cameron Floyd Dean was sought by Kingston Police for aggravated assault, discharging firearm with intent, and several other firearms-related charges in connection with a shooting in downtown Kingston on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, after which one victim was treated in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, according to Kingston Police.

In an update on the evening of Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, Kingston Police said Dean had been arrested in Toronto “with assistance from the East Region and Toronto Region ROPE [Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement] Unit as well as the Toronto Police Service.”