The start date for the dismissal hearing for former police constable Alan Murdock has been delayed once again.
Hearing officer Jay Watson heard an appeal for an adjournment during a teleconference earlier today. As a result, Murdock's case has been adjourned to Oct. 6.
The request for adjournment came about because Murdock has hired legal counsel, who says he needs adequate time to prepare, while also acknowledging his schedule does not allow for the hearing to start on Sept. 8.
Police lawyer Destiny Gibney argued against the adjournment.
“We would like to mention that it was only when we emailed our notice on Sept. 2 that we may have a preliminary application on Tuesday the 8th Mr. Murdock advised that he would have legal counsel present. He did not indicate at that time that he was not planning on going ahead on Tuesday," said Gibney. "The lack of notice and purposeful delay are an abuse of process."
Watson did acknowledge that Murdock waited until "the last minute" to hire counsel, but ultimately granted the adjournment.
“He does have the right to counsel and counsel has to be available. To make counsel appear on a matter where they can’t effectively prepare would not be fair, in my view. With some reluctance, I am granting the adjournment.”
The hearing will now start on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 9:30 a.m. The plan is for the hearing to be held at the Grant Hall, as originally planned, although this needs to be confirmed.
The hearing was originally scheduled to begin on Aug. 31 but was then adjourned to Sept. 8.
