by A preliminary hearing for two Glace Bay men charged with second-degree murder is now scheduled to go ahead on May 26.
38-year-old Thomas Ted Barrett and 23-year-old Morgan James MacNeil, are charged in the May 2012 death of 21-year-old Laura Jessome from Bras d’Or.
Judge Peter Ross confirmed the date for the hearing in provincial court, yesterday.
However, the date could change because Barrett is still without a lawyer and it’s expected that if he secures representation before the hearing, his legal counsel will ask for more time to prepare.
Ann Marie MacInnes with Nova Scotia Legal Aid told the court yesterday that efforts are continuing to secure Barrett a lawyer.
Meanwhile, the lawyer for Barrett’s co-accused says her client is ready to proceed with the preliminary hearing.
Barrett also made an appearance in Supreme Court yesterday and is scheduled to return next Monday to set a trial date on charges of attempted murder, unlawful confinement, assault and uttering a threat.
Those offences are alleged to have occurred in July 2012 in Glace Bay.
Barrett is also facing a another count of second-degree murder in relation