A first-degree murder trial is in limbo because the lawyer for the accused fell ill and is in hospital.
The two-week trial for Calgarian Brent William Crouse, 47, was supposed to have started on Monday, but the first two days were cancelled unexpectedly.
In Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench on Wednesday, Red Deer lawyer Will Willms told Justice Kirk Sisson that Crouse’s lawyer Gloria Froese had asked him to make an application on her behalf to be removed as counsel. Froese is in hospital and not in position to proceed with the trial, he added.
In response to questions from Sisson, Willms said Froese was rushed to hospital on Friday. Willms was told by staff in Froese’s office that her symptoms suggested a heart issue. Doctors have told her to stay in hospital until the results of tests are known.
Froese was in the Red Deer court a day earlier arguing unsuccessfully to have the case against her client dismissed because he had been denied the right to a fair and speedy trial.
Crouse was charged in connection with the April 16, 2008, stabbing and beating death of Sheldon Mark Hiller, 46, whose body was found in a ditch near Raven, about 65 km west of Red Deer, on Hwy 54. Crouse is also charged with accessory to murder after the fact and extortion for threatening another man convicted in the case, Charles Richard Beckett, 50, of Red Deer in order to hide evidence from the police.
Willms, who was acting as agent for Froese, said he had concerns about trying to press ahead with the trial when the lawyer involved is applying to withdraw from the case.
Sisson said he had concerns about the length of time the case has already taken and the fact Crouse remains in custody. The justice called a brief adjournment so Willms could talk to Crouse about his options.
When court resumed, Willms said Crouse wanted time to decide if he wanted a new lawyer. In the meantime, Willms agreed to get more information about Froese’s situation.
The case will return to court on Friday to discuss whether the trial can go ahead or must be rescheduled with a different a lawyer.
On Jan. 31, Larry Allen Scott, 54, of Red Deer pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Scott was to be tried at the same time as Crouse in a joint trial.
Beckett pleaded guilty in the spring of 2008 to being an accessory to murder and was sentenced to time served in custody, which was about a year.