Doug Maki’s first-degree murder trial, which was slated to begin here Monday, is going to be delayed, Crown Attorney Robert “Buster” Young confirmed Thursday morning.
“There’s been some new expert evidence generated by the Crown, the police actually, that we have to consider,” he noted from Atikokan, adding the jury has been cancelled for Monday.
“The issue of when the matter will continue is what we’ll be talking about [in court] Monday,” said Young.
Young would not say when Maki’s trial might begin.
He noted the preliminary hearing wrapped up in the spring and because jury selection only takes place twice a year here, the Crown had been trying to get a trial begun by the fall.
Maki, now 29, was arrested April 4, 2000 in connection with the death of 18-year-old Melani Sutton of Fort Frances, whose body was found March 28, 2000 near a bush road about 80 km east of here.
In other news, the pre-trial of three family members charged with owning and operating an obscene Web site was adjourned until Oct. 29 following a court appearance here Wednesday.
Woodyatt resident Don Smith, along with his wife, Lorna, and his brother, William, of Winnipeg, appeared before Judge R.D. Clarke and Crown Attorneys Young and C. Bartlett-Hughes.
Courthouse staff reported it was decided the pre-trial will continue on that date, and that the parties are working towards setting a date for a preliminary hearing.
Smith and his brother were charged Oct. 3 with making obscene material after three search warrants were executed simultaneously at a Woodyatt Township residence and a business-residence in Winnipeg.
After further investigation, police charged Lorna Smith back in February with making obscene material, possession of obscene material for the purpose of distribution, and distribution of obscene material.
The two brothers also were charged at that time with additional offences related to the case.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
