Progress in Leslie Black case elusive in court

The defence for the man accused of assaulting Marlene Bird says despite productive meetings with his client and the Crown, they’re not yet ready to move forward in court.

A judge told Leslie Black’s defence counsel last month that Black should be present in court at his next appearance and be ready to decide whether he wants to proceed with a trial by judge alone or a jury  trial if his case moves to that stage.

However, the new legal aid lawyer for Black, Adam Masiowski, told court on Thursday that Black’s attendance was waived this time.

In the month between Black’s last court appearances, Masiowski has met with the Crown prosecutor and Black, which he said was productive.

Masiowski asked for another one-month adjournment to have further meetings and move the court proceedings ahead.

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Black, 29, is charged with aggravated sexual assault and attempted murder in connection to the assault on Bird.

Bird was cut, burnt, and had both legs amputated because of her injuries.

Black was arrested at the end of June, weeks after Bird, 47, was discovered in a parking lot near the Margo Fournier Center.

Although it’s rare to release the name of the victim in sexual assault cases, permission to lift a publication ban was granted after Bird’s aunt Lorna Thiessen said Bird didn’t want to be “just another stat[istic].”

Masiowski is taking over representation for Black from Tara Lennox-Zepp. He said the reassignment is simply the result of scheduling issues.

Black is back in court on March 12.

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