BONNYVILLE – After a handful of adjournments, the case against a 44-year-old Bonnyville resident, Christopher Brian Godfrey, is expected to move forward on June 21.
Godfrey was initially charged with sexual assault, fraud over $5,000, and extortion by the Bonnyville RCMP on Jan. 13. These charges were laid following a 10-month sexual assault investigation and an execution of a search warrant earlier this year.
“We are aware that it is getting quite long in the tooth,” said Moe Tanash in court on May 17. Tanash is the acting agent for Hart Spencer who is Godfrey’s lawyer.
The defense indicated that multiple adjournments were necessary while they waited to receive and review disclosure documents, specifically the police reports pertaining to Godfrey’s case, from the Crown prosecutor’s office.
“So, we are hopeful that June 21 date we can make some progress if we do receive (disclosure) by then,” continued Tanash.
In response, the Crown prosecutor noted that all pending documents have now been vetted and disclosed and should be available to the defense’s counsel.
Based on information presented in court on May 17, it is likely that a plea will be entered on behalf of the accused on June 21, with the potential for a preliminary inquiry to be scheduled if a ‘not guilty’ plea is submitted.
Godfrey’s first court appearance was on Feb. 22.
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