Prince Albert murder trial stopped, defence lawyer accused of sleeping

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Patrick McDougall, one of the province’s most experienced lawyers, denied the allegations. 

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When the concern was similarly raised last week, McDougall said he was having a diabetic episode. 

“I don’t know what was occurring,” Madame Justice Wempe said on Wednesday when the trial resumed, confirming that on at least one occasion she had also seen McDougall’s eyes closed. 

Wempe added Gardiner has a right to a fair trial. 

Norman Wenzel. (Image Credit: Facebook.)

Following discussions among the Crown prosecutor, Wempe and defence lawyer Brian Pfefferle, who was acting as an agent for Legal Aid, the case was adjourned to Friday to determine next steps. 

The jury was dismissed in the meantime. 

Discussions heard in court Wednesday suggested options going forward include a mistrial and a new jury trial further down the road, or a new judge-alone trial that could pick up where the former trial left off and could be scheduled much earlier.

Gardiner’s trial started June 15 and prosecutor Manmeet Rai indicated he had about a day and a half left to finish his case. 

According to evidence heard in court, Wenzel was stabbed multiple times in the back-alley area behind the residence where he was living on Kemp Crescent. He made his way to the doorstep of the home and was covered in blood when he was found by his daughter. 

Witnesses said they saw two men dressed all in black running from the scene. There were suggestions the stabbing happened after a drug deal went bad. 

As per testimony heard during the former trial, Norman Wenzel spent most of his time in the garage. (Image Credit: Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Also charged in the case is Rylan Hansen, whose matters are still at the pre-trial stage. The next scheduled hearing is Aug. 7.

In addition to the first-degree murder charge, Gardiner also has an outstanding manslaughter charge that relates to the death of Travis Caisse in August, 2024.

A preliminary inquiry hearing has been scheduled for July 21.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell