Man charged with murder in girlfriend’s death seeks bail

Justus Chester, charged with second-degree murder in the death of Julia Brady, is seeking bail.

Justus Chester sat in the prisoner’s box Thursday afternoon in a Barrie courtroom as his defence lawyer Alison Craig made the case for his release from custody.

Chester, 26, is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Julia Brady, last summer in Midland. Chester will have to wait a little longer to find out whether he’ll be granted bail following a hearing where Craig made arguments for Chester to be granted bail to loved ones serving as his sureties.

It has been eight months since 23-year-old Brady was found dead inside a Seventh Street Midland apartment complex where police confirmed her boyfriend, Justus Chester, was later taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder.

Brady’s father told CTV News Julia had called 911 for help the afternoon of July 15, 2024.

Police revealed Chester was taken to hospital for medical attention.

Julia’s loved ones told CTV News, she lived in an apartment unit on Seventh Street in Midland with the accused. The two started dating in the spring after meeting on the dating app Tinder. Two months later she had been killed.

Chester has been in custody since his arrest. Any evidence heard in court during the bail proceedings is protected by a publication ban.

Justice Chris de Sa is scheduled to deliver his decision on Monday in Barrie. The allegations against Justus Chester have not been tested in court.