La Ronge Youth Burning Trial Adjourned To December
Wednesday, November 22, 2006 at 19:15
The judge presiding over an aggravated assault trial that saw a La Ronge woman receive third degree burns to 65 percent of her body in an incident in the community on April 24th, 2006, has adjourned that matter until mid-December.
The judge allowed a request by the defense lawyer to adjourn the remainder of the trial to December 15th, to give her ample time to prepare both a written and oral closing argument. This coming after the last crown witness took to the stand.
The victim, 26 year old Tracy Bird, appeared visibly uncomfortable and scared by the court process and in an interview with reporters following her testimony, Bird said she was scared the accused “was going to do something” to her.
Bird, who is said to have a mental capacity that is less than the average person, could not remember any details surrounding the incident, and seven months following that horrific event, she is still receiving daily treatments for burn wounds that have yet to heal.
Bird’s close friend and caregiver, Judy Bird of the Montreal Lake Cree Nation says she was angry for what had happened to Tracy while she was visiting in La Ronge. She said she wants justice served for this cruel crime.
The accused sat quietly with family during Bird’s testimony, showing no visible signs of emotion or remorse.
Closing arguments will be heard on the morning of December 15th at the La Ronge Provincial Court house.