By Taylor MacPherson

Confidence issue delays shooting trial

Apr 24, 2017 | 5:00 PM

The trial of an Edmonton man allegedly behind a house party shooting was put off today after a confidence issue led his lawyer to withdraw from the case.

Stephen Geisler, 25, is facing charges of aggravated assault, discharging a firearm at a person with intent to cause harm, pointing a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon and several other firearm-related charges in connection with an incident dating back to December 5, 2015.

According to a police report Geisler allegedly shot a 26-year-old man in the leg “after a house party deteriorated into an altercation.” The victim was taken by paramedics from the house in the 500 block of Southwood Dr. where the alleged shooting occurred to Victoria Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Geisler was arrested and charged Dec. 16.

Geisler’s trial was expected to begin this morning at Prince Albert’s Court of Queen’s Bench, but the matter was delayed when Saskatoon defense lawyer Patrick McDougall withdrew as Geisler’s legal counsel, based on a request by Geisler.

“I have no faith in Mr. McDougall to defend me in my best interest,” Geisler told the court as he stood in the prisoner’s dock wearing leg-irons and baggy jeans which displayed his boxer shorts to the gallery.

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Justice Lyle Zuk said he regretted the inconvenience caused by the delay, as the Crown was prepared to proceed and witness testimony had been scheduled, but said he was satisfied with the explanation provided and adjourned the matter back to pre-trial.

Geisler said he has made an application to Legal Aid for new counsel, but noted his phone access is limited as he is being held on remand at the maximum-security unit of the Saskatchewan Penitentiary. He requested access to the Crown’s disclosure documents in the interim, but the request was denied by Zuk as Geisler does not intend to represent himself.

Geisler will be back in court Friday for pre-trial, with a new trial date to be set after. He has elected to be tried by judge alone.

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TMacPhersonNews