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Accused killer Trent Butt has case set over, as protesters hold signs outside

Protesters gathered outside court in Harbour Grace Friday as Trent Butt, the Cabonear man accused of killing his five-year-old daughter, Quinn, was scheduled for a court appearance.

Sources say Butt cancelled home insurance, stopping payments months before daughter's death

'Justice for Quinn' supporters

8 years ago
Duration 1:01
Bill and Marie Maher of Roaches Line were among the protesters outside Harbour Grace court for Trent Butt's court appearance on Friday.

People holding signs calling for 'Justice for Quinn' showed up outside the Harbour Grace court Friday for Trent Butt's scheduled court appearance on a first-degree murder charge. 

Police allege Butt, 37, killed his five-year-old daughter Quinn and then set fire to his home on Hayden Heights in Carbonear on April 24.

Sources tell CBC News Butt cancelled his house insurance and stopped mortgage payments months before his daughter's death. 

Bill and Marie Maher of Roaches Line came out in support of Quinn Butt's family. 

"Little small child, but really starting out in life ... and now a life gone," Bill Maher said.

"I hope he gets what he deserves, whatever [that] is."

Butt appeared in the Harbour Grace courtroom via video link from Her Majesty's Penitentiary in St. John's.

Defence lawyer Mike King asked that Butt not appear before the court, but it was denied.

Trent Butt is accused of murdering his five-year-old daughter Quinn Butt at his home in Carbonear April 24. (CBC)

The court appearance was set to deal with disclosure and was quickly set over to July 19.

Butt is facing charges of first-degree murder and arson with disregard for human life.

The death of the five-year-old sent shockwaves across the province, with vigils being held in her memory and events underway to raise money for a playground in her honour. 

King told the court he has received "significant" disclosure of evidence and needs more time to review.

Lloyd Strickland is prosecuting the case. 

More than a dozen people showed up for Trent Butt's scheduled court appearance in Harbour Grace on Friday. He will appear via video link from St. John's. (Terry Roberts/CBC)