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Defence says progress is coming in attempted murder, sexual assault case

Aug 15, 2017 | 12:42 PM

LETHBRIDGE – One week after the case against Denzel Dre Colton Bird was adjourned so the Crown and defence could continue resolution discussions, the defence has asked for more time.

The matter had been set to return to Lethbridge Provincial Court on Thursday (Aug. 17), however, an agent for Bird’s lawyer, Tonii Roulston, appeared on Tuesday (Aug. 15) to ask for a further adjournment.

Andrea Urquhart explained that discussions with the Crown are ongoing, and that when the case returns to court in two weeks time, they will be prepared to either set a date for a disposition, a preliminary inquiry or a trial.

Crown prosecutor, Lisa Weich, did make a point of noting that the Crown has been ready to set a date since last fall.

The case has seen a number of delays since Bird made his first appearance in October of 2016. The biggest came when he fired, re-hired, then once again fired his first lawyer, before retaining Roulston.

Bird faces charges of attempted murder, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault with a weapon, aggravated assault and break and enter, in connection with an incident that occurred on the morning of Sept. 30, 2016.

Members of the Lethbridge Police Service say a 25-year old woman was walking to work that morning, when she was struck with a weapon, dragged into an alley off 6 Avenue South and sexually assaulted.

After being found by a passerby, the victim was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries, for which she required months of treatment.

Police have stated that they believe the attack was random, as there is no apparent connections between the accused and alleged victim.