One of two people accused in the death of Tilbury man is in the process of hiring a new lawyer and a judge wants to see movement on the case.
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David Trealout, 35, appeared by video link Monday in a Chatham court, where his former lawyer Elizabeth Craig was removed from the case.
Realout and Kimberly Price, 53, are charged with first-degree murder in the death of Henry Neudorf, 55, whose body was found Jan. 12 on a rural road near Pain Court.
Trealout made a change of lawyer application to legal aid and is waiting to see if it is approved before he can retain a new lawyer, who is based in Toronto.
The matter was adjourned to Jan. 14.
Noting the matter is moving forward in court with another co-accused, Ontario Court Justice Courtney Harris said, “I am concerned about delay in this matter.”
She asked that message be passed to Realout’s new lawyer when the matter returns in January “the court is looking for more than ‘I’ve now been retained.’”
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Noting Trealout’s former lawyer was working on arranging a Crown pre-trial, Harris said as soon as legal aid is approved she wants steps to be taken immediately to move the matter forward, if possible.
Darin Noland, 62, originally charged with first-degree murder, pleaded guilty Sept. 10 to accessory after the fact to murder.
Noland, who is cooperating in the investigation, was sentenced to time served for the 227 days he spent in pre-trial custody, which amounted to 331 days of credit. He also was put on probation for two years.
Price is to return to court in early March for a confirmation hearing.
A publication ban is in place on evidence heard in the pre-trial stage of the case.
According to previously published reports, Chatham-Kent police were called to Town Line Road, north of Maple Line, about 11 am Jan. 12 after a man’s body was found.
It’s a sparsely populated area of farmland and drainage ditches, east of St. Clair National Wildlife Area, roughly 20 kilometers west of Chatham and northeast of Tilbury.
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