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Fate of former Innisfail Mountie still in limbo

The fate of a former Innisfail Mountie remains in limbo after new evidence surfaced on the day he was to be sentenced.

The fate of a former Innisfail Mountie remains in limbo after new evidence surfaced on the day he was to be sentenced.

Hoa Dong La was to have been sentenced on June 6 on charges of extortion, criminal harassment and mortgage fraud in relation to properties he and members of his families had purchased and then rented out in Innisfail and Bowden areas.

The sentencing hearing did not go ahead as planned after defence counsel Ian McKay told Court of Queen’s Bench Justice David Gates that he had discovered new evidence that may affect his finding of guilt.

Gates, McKay and Crown prosecutor were to have met by telephone on Wednesday to determine how to proceed. Available options include declaring a mistrial, reopening the trial, or simply applying the evidence to the sentencing hearing.

The matter was not resolved and has instead been adjourned to Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench on July 19.

La, who has not been in custody on the charges, remains free under strict conditions.