Collet and David Stephan in 2017 (Lethbridge News Now)

By Connor Gunn

Stephans to appear in court June 14

Apr 26, 2021 | 11:48 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB– After Alberta’s top court ordered a third trial for David and Collet Stephan, the couple is now filing for a stay of proceedings.

The Alberta Court of Appeal granted a request by the Crown to overturn the 2019 acquittal of David and Collet Stephan.

The Stephan’s were accused of not seeking medical attention sooner for 19-month-old Ezekiel, who had meningitis when he died in 2012.

A jury convicted the couple in 2016, but the Supreme Court of Canada overturned that verdict and ordered a second trial at which a judge acquitted them.

Previous story: Not guilty: David and Collet Stephan acquitted of failing to provide the necessaries of life

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On March 8, 2021, Appeal Court judges ruled that comments made by the judge in the second trial about a chief medical examiner demonstrated “a reasonable apprehension of bias.”

As a result, the not guilty verdicts were set aside and a new trial ordered.

Previous story: Court hears Crown’s appeal of David and Collet Stephan’s not guilty verdict

To file for “a stay of proceedings” is an attempt to halt whatever action the court is currently taking. In this case, the court has ordered a third trial for the couple.

The case has been put over until Monday, June 14.