PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. – The defence for the man accused of sexually assaulting and burning a northern Saskatchewan woman says it needs more time before moving 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 jury.
However, Black’s new legal aid lawyer, Adam Masiowski, told court on Thursday that Black’s attendance was waived this time. Masiowski asked for another one-month adjournment to have further meetings and move the court proceedings ahead.
Black, 29, is charged with aggravated sexual assault and attempted murder of Marlene Bird. On June 1, 2014, the homeless woman was discovered in a parking lot in downtown Prince Albert, burned and badly wounded.
Bird, who is 47, was cut, burned, and had both legs amputated because of her injuries.
Black was arrested and charged at the end of June.
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The names of sexual assault victims aren’t usually released, but the publication ban was lifted in this case after arguments from Bird’s family.
Her aunt, Lorna Thiessen, said Bird didn’t want to be “faceless, nameless” and “just another statistic.”
Black’s next court date is March 12.
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