The case against Michael Bryant will return to a Toronto courtroom early next month, a judge decided Monday morning.
The former Ontario attorney general’s lawyer, Marie Henein, said she still needed to receive full disclosure from prosecutors, before the case can go to trial.
“Disclosure remains outstanding, we are anxious to get it,” said Ms. Henein. She said both sides wanted the process to move along, and that crown lawyers were providing her with the evidence that will be used in the trial as soon as they receive it.
“At the end of the day, I don’t have control of the disclosure.”
Mark Sandler, a Toronto lawyer representing the prosecution, said evidence and documentation of a “substantial nature” had been presented ahead of Monday morning’s court appearance, with more to come.
The case will return to an Old City Hall courtroom on December 7, when it is hoped all disclosure will have been submitted to the defence.
Mr. Bryant did not attend Monday morning’s brief court appearance. He faces charges of criminal negligence causing death and dangerous driving causing death in a collision dating back to an incident involving a cyclist in August.
Darcy Allan Sheppard, a 33-year-old bike courier, was killed the evening of Aug. 31, after he was alleged to have been dragged along a strip of Bloor Street by Mr. Bryant's Saab convertible.
Richard Peck, a Vancouver lawyer, has been retained by the Ministry of the Attorney-General of Ontario as special prosecutor for when the case reaches trial.
It was also announced Sunday that Justice Paul Bentley has been assigned to act as a case manager and oversee the pretrial, to ensure no conflicts of interest occur.
The two sides will hold a closed-door session with Justice Bentley on November 30.
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