Ex-police informant given more time to find lawyer

The trial of a former police informant who was charged with drug and firearm offences after being kicked out of the federal witness protection program will not go ahead this week after a judge ruled he can have more time to find a lawyer.

Regina provincial court Judge Pat Reis, who took over the Saskatoon case after a local judge recused himself, ruled Wednesday that Noel Patrick Harder, who has been without a lawyer since July, has until Dec. 20 to find and retain counsel. Reis delivered his decision one day after Harder’s trial was supposed to have begun.

Harder faces 26 charges, including unlawful possession of a loaded handgun, that were laid after the Project Forseti gang investigation informer was arrested in September 2018.

Speaking during a court-appointed counsel hearing on what was to have been the first day of evidence in his trial, Harder said being on remand and conflicts of interest with more than 20 law firms prevented him from obtaining a lawyer’s services.

“I’ll take any lawyer at this point,” Harder said.

Crown prosecutor Melodi Kujawa opposed that position, saying Harder has “not been diligent” and procrastinated in his attempts to find counsel. She said the trial should have gone ahead because he is the “author of his own misfortune.”

In his decision, Reis found that Harder had made some effort to find representation but that he “must do more.” He adjourned the trial “in the interest of justice” but warned that Harder must show “concrete” progress over the next month.

Court heard Wednesday that two criminal defence lawyers have

since come forward about the possibility of defending Harder at trial, but no formal arrangements for representation have been made.

While Harder contended during the hearing that he does not have the money to pay for a trial lawyer, Court Services Crown Counsel Audrey Olson said she had a letter from Legal Aid Saskatchewan stating he has $880,000 in assets.