Assault suspect fires lawyer

CROWN PROSECUTOR DOESN’T WANT LONG ADJOURNMENT

A 20-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting and trying to kill a young woman last year has fired his lawyer — again.

During a hearing in Lethbridge provincial court Friday, lawyer Greg White asked to withdraw as counsel for Denzel Dre Colton Bird who, White said, no longer wants to be represented by him.

While Crown prosecutor Vaughan Hartigan didn’t oppose the application to withdraw, he recommended Bird not be granted a long adjournment while he waits for Legal Aid to appoint another lawyer.

“This is the second time my friend has withdrawn from the matter,” Hartigan said.

Bird asked for an adjournment to June 26, but Hartigan, who said he was worried Bird could change his mind again, urged the judge to bring the matter back in one week, at which time the court will know how much progress Bird is making to get a new lawyer.

Bird fired White the first time more than a month ago and on April 6 White withdrew as counsel. But the two were back together before the end of the month.

Bird, who appeared by closed-circuit TV from the Lethbridge Correctional Centre, is charged with attempted murder, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault with a weapon, aggravated assault, break and enter and several counts of mischief.

Police reported a man struck a woman with a weapon Sept. 30, 2016, and dragged her into an alley in the 2000 block of 6 Avenue South, where he sexually assaulted her.

The victim was discovered by a passerby at about 8:30 a.m. and taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. She has since made a slow but steady recovery.

Although Bird has not had a bail hearing and remains in custody by his own consent, the Crown suggested during a hearing in February that defence move forward and decide how Bird will be tried. The Crown suggested the court may decide for him if the case moves too slowly.

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