The first-degree murder trial for Anthony Robert Willier may not go ahead as planned because the defendant is experiencing medical problems.
A day after they were selected, the six-man, six-woman jury was told yesterday morning they'll have to wait until at least Friday before they can hear evidence to give Willier, 22, time to see a doctor and determine whether the trial can proceed.
"My expectation is that one of two things will happen," B.C. Supreme Court Justice James Williams said. "It will get underway on Friday morning and we'll go with our trial then.
"The alternative is that in the event Mr. Willier is not able, by virtue of his health, to proceed on that date I expect I am going to have to look at discharging you people and we'll have to start this over when circumstances permit."
Details of Willier's medical condition were not disclosed to the jury.
Willier is charged with fatally shooting Nathan Alcide Marshall whose body was found in the front yard of a home in the 1800 block of Hemlock Street on Feb. 17 2010.
Marshall, 27 years old at the time of his death, had been released on bail a few days before his death after he was arrested in connection with a Jan. 4, 2010 invasion of a home in the the 2600 block of Quince Street.
Last week, Lawrence Timothy Gross, 28, was sentenced to 21 months in jail on six counts related to the incident. As well, Brandy Lee Sinclair, 26, was sentenced to one year probation for willfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer.
And in February, Dawn Leanne Steppler, 33, was sentence to a day in jail and three years probation on a count of break and enter with intent to commit an offence.
The jury plus two alternates were selected from more than 160 people called in for the selection process on Tuesday.
If the trial is held, they can expected to sit through 14 court days of testimony and as many as 31 witnesses will be called, about half of them police and several of them undercover officers.
A ban on publication of any information identifying the undercover officers has been imposed.
Prosecuting lawyers are Oleh Kuzma and Siobhan Greenfield and the defence lawyer is Keith Aartsen.
