The start of a second trial for Christopher Gale has been delayed after four jurors asked to be removed from the case.
The court was set to begin hearing testimony on Wednesday morning, but Justice Andrew Goodman told the court four jurors had come forward with letters explaining why they couldn’t be a part of the court proceedings.
Goodman told the court “The trial must commence with 12 jurors by law.”
Instead the case, which is expected to last three weeks, will resume on Thursday when two new jurors will have to be selected and then opening statements and testimony can begin.
It’s unclear why the jury members asked not to be involved in the case.
Gale, 31, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of second-degree murder in the shooting death of his girlfriend, 21-year-old Jocelyn Bishop in July 2010.
Bishop’s body was found in a shallow grave behind a Fanshawe Park Road home.
The victim’s family says they are disappointed there has been yet another delay after they’ve already had to sit through a first trial.
Jocelyn’s uncle Bill Bishop says “It’s frustrating…We have a big family .There’s a lot of love and a lot of connection between all of us, we need to support our youngest brother, one of our nieces is gone. We stick together.”
The new trial began on Monday, when the jury was selected to hear the case. It involves the same judge as the previous trial but new defence and Crown attorneys.
The last trial ended when the judge found a jury member “did not uphold their oath,” and a mistrial was called.
Bishop adds “It’s another delay, another dollar. We’ll come again tomorrow and we’ll see if we can get through it tomorrow.”
