Court update in case of Frederico Canuzo accused of murdering mother

Frederico Canuzo has been charged with murder over an incident on Phoenix Place on Tuesday, August 29, 2023.

An anonymity order imposed at his first appearance before Warrington Magistrates’ Court due to his age has now expired as he has now turned 18.

Canuzo’s case came back before Liverpool Crown Court this morning, Thursday, for a mention hearing.

At around 9.40am on August 29 last year, Cheshire Police was called to reports of an incident at an address on Phoenix Place.

Officers and paramedics attended and found that a 48-year-old woman had been seriously assaulted outside her home.

Sadly, despite the best efforts of all those involved, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

She was later named as Chintzia McIntyre, and now, due to anonymity restrictions expiring, it can be revealed that she and the defendant are mother and son.

Detectives launched a murder investigation following the death and a 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection to the incident.

The 17-year-old boy, now 18-year-old Canuzo, was later charged with the murder of Ms McIntyre.

The defendant is accused of murdering his mother, Chintzia McIntyre

A trial date was provisionally set for January 29, although he is yet to enter a plea to the charge, and this was pushed back further to June 24.

However, in April, this trial date was vacated, with the case listed for today for the court to receive an update, with the defendant, who is in custody, not present.

Gordon Cole, representing the prosecution, said: “The case has been listed for mention today to give the court an update as to the medical position of the defendant, accused of murdering his mother in August last year.

“Reports have been prepared by Dr Malik which make the suggestion that the defendant is making some progress, not significant progress, but some progress.

“The suggestion is a further adjournment of four to five months when it is hoped the defendant will be in a position to plead or stand trial.

“The position seems to be that both experts say that with a further adjournment, there is a real possibility that this defendant will be fit to stand trial.

“On balance, having considered the reports, we make the application that the case be adjourned for a further period to allow for any progress to continue.”

It was stated that if the defendant is still not in a position to plead, a fitness to plead or finding of fact hearing would be required.

It is estimated that a trial would take three days, including time for a jury to retire to consider a verdict.

Tim Clark, representing Canuzo, told the court that he agreed that the case ‘needs to have some sort of finality’, and that a further adjournment was an appropriate course of action.

Police at the crime scene on Phoenix Place in Chapelford

Before adjourning the case, judge David Aubrey said: “The case will be listed for a plea and trial preparation hearing on November 29.

“A trial, fitness to plead or finding of fact hearing will be fixed for January 27 next year, with an estimate of three to four days.”

Residents reported seeing a huge police presence in the Phoenix Place vicinity on the morning of the incident, with at least seven police cars and vans spotted.

The police helicopter was spotted circling the area, while an air ambulance was also believed to have been dispatched.

A blue and yellow forensics tent was soon erected at the scene, with paramedics attending by road ambulance to assist.

People living in the area reported police knocking on doors and visiting businesses asking residents for statements and doorbell camera footage.

DS Jon Betts, of Warrington Local Policing Unit, said on the day of the incident: “I would like to reassure residents that this is believed to be an isolated incident and there is no risk to the wider community.

“There is currently an increased police presence in the area, and I would urge anyone with any concerns to speak to an officer.”

Cheshire Police wishes to remind readers that legal proceedings are now active, and it is crucial that people avoid sharing details which could identify the defendant or speculate online about this case, as it could prejudice the legal process.