The father and stepmother of a slain seven-year-old Quebec girl will be back in court Dec. 12 in what’s likely to be a long and winding legal saga.
The pair, dressed all in black, returned to a courtroom yesterday in a case began April 29 when the girl was found in critical condition in her family home in Granby, east of Montreal.
She died a day later in hospital.
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The young girl’s father faces four charges involving child abuse.
The victim’s stepmother faces one count each of second-degree murder, unlawful confinement and aggravated assault.
While the two will be tried separately, they will have a joint preliminary inquiry that’s tentatively planned for mid-February.
READ MORE: Court appearance for father of slain Granby girl postponed to September
However, the court heard that an important witness may not be available, which could lengthen the process.
Crown prosecutor Laurence Bélanger said the trial itself is likely to be a complex one that could take weeks.