Jimmy Wise appeared in Cornwall court on Friday to face a charge of first-degree murder. He entered the courtroom in a wheelchair. He suffered a stroke several years ago, and was living in a Winchester nursing home when he was arrested by detectives from the OPP in May 2018.
Defence lawyer Ian Carter told reporters outside the courtroom that his client will plead not guilty.
Wise, known to police for most of his adult life, became a serial murder suspect over 30 years ago.
The 75-year-old retired mechanic from Winchester was remanded into custody by Justice of the Peace Ginette Forgues.
He was also ordered not to communicate with the 31 people now connected to the case.
The trial for James Henry “Jimmy” Wise has been scheduled for five weeks beginning in March 2020.