Health problems halt murder trial
Unspecified medical issues could bring a Prince George murder trial to a halt before it even gets started.
"There's been a glitch," B.C. Supreme Court Justice James Williams told jurors Wednesday morning after they were led into the courtroom to hear the first day of the case against Anthony Robert Willier.
Instead, jurors heard that Willier is experiencing "medical problems," and the trial may need to be rescheduled as a result.
The judge said he expects to know by Thursday afternoon if Willier will be able to proceed with what was initially planned to be a three-week trial.
"I do regret this," Williams, who also presided over the year-long jury trial of serial killer Robert Pickton, told the six women and six men of the jury here.
"I have a real thing about making sure we use jurors' time effectively, efficiently and responsibly."
Some of the jurors cast long glances at Willier after they heard he was in some type of medical distress. Willier wore a white, long-sleeved shirt and black pants with the cuffs rolled up. His short, blonde hair was styled in a crew cut.
The 21-year-old is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the February 2010 shooting death of Nathan Alcide Marshall outside a home on Hemlock Street. If convicted, Willier faces an automatic penalty of life imprisonment with no chance of parole for 25 years.
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