The trial of a Central Alberta man alleged to have committed a sexual assault opened on Tuesday in Red Deer with a voir dire.
The name of the accused and virtually everything connected with the trial is the subject of one of the most sweeping publication bans imposed in Central Alberta in the last thee decades.
Even the name of the defence lawyer falls under the umbrella of the ban because it could lead to the identification of the accused.
The ban prevents any information from being printed or broadcast that could in any way identify the alleged victim or the accused.
That includes names, location, dates, circumstances and the identity of the defence lawyer.
The man is also charged with unlawful confinement and pointing a firearm.
A voir dire is a trial within a trial held to determine if the evidence heard can be admitted into the trial proper.
Two more voir dires are expected to be held during the Court of Queen’s Bench trial before Justice Monica Bast. The trial is expected to conclude on Friday.
Crown prosecutors Anders Quist and Denis Huot are handling the trial.