The trial of three men accused of first-degree murder and dismembering the body of the victim hit a snag even before it began in Regina’s Court of Queen’s Bench.
Two of the jurors asked to be dismissed because of personal reasons. Justice Catherine Dawson excused them.
However, defence lawyers are raising concerns about a possible mistrial if more jurors ask to be dismissed over the course of the six-week trial, which is expected to include graphic images and testimony.
Two more jurors will now be selected, for a total of 14. The case has been adjourned until Thursday at 10 a.m.
Andrew Michael Bellegarde, who is 24, 33-year-old Bronson Chad Gordon and 34-year-old Daniel Theodore are on trial for first-degree murder and committing an indignity to a human body.
They are accused in the April 2015 death of 34-year-old Reno Lee. His body was found near Balcarres, which is located about 90 kilometres north of Regina, although it is believed he was murdered in the city.
(PHOTO: Regina Court of Queen’s Bench. Photo courtesy of Manfred Joehnck.)