Still no bail for elderly woman facing murder charge

There’s no bail in sight for the 79-year-old woman charged in the 2022 death of Gordon Oughtred.

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Friday morning, white-haired Elfgard Oughtred appeared in the Ontario Court of Justice via Zoom from Vanier Center for Women in Milton and confirmed her name in a frail-sounding voice.

Oughtred faces a second-degree murder charge in the death of her husband but, despite being arrested on July 9, has yet to come up with a plan for bail that satisfies the Crown’s office.

A lawyer asked for the matter to be put over for another two weeks, allowing time for the defense to consult with the Crown’s office and work on a bail plan.

“Thank you,” the frail-looking Oughtred said when informed of her new date, but then appeared to have trouble being able to stand from the chair in the video unit.

Gordon Oughtred, 82, was found on the property of his Salt Springs Church Road farm on Nov. 24, 2022, in the early afternoon.

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His death shocked the county neighbors on his quiet road and there were concerns expressed about such violence against a man described as a good neighbor with a collection of vintage tractors and a reputation for winning tractor pulls.

According to his obituary, Oughtred left behind his wife of 30 years, Elfgard Oughtred – known as Elfi – along with four children, nine grandkids and seven great-grandchildren.

A year after his death, Brant OPP appealed to the public for information, with Sgt. Ed Sanchuk saying “someone still holds the key to finding the person or people responsible.”

The OPP even set up a tip line to encourage possible leads.

OPP spokesperson Ed Sanchuk said issuing a news release had been delayed due to the “complexity of this ongoing investigation and to protect its integrity and potential court proceedings.”

A news release was shared on Aug. 15.

Elfgard Oughtred has appeared multiple times in Brantford court but the lease process has not begun, with indications she was trying to obtain Legal Aid assistance.

When asked about the charge, a member of the Oughtred family declined to comment.

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