A Chatham man facing a charge of first-degree murder charge will return to court early next month.
Stephen William Thompson, 42, made a brief appearance via video in a Chatham courtroom Wednesday.
The court heard Thompson’s lawyer, Ken Marley, has been having ongoing discussions with the Crown but further discussions are needed.
The court granted a request to adjourn the case to Nov. 4 so Marley can get instructions from Thompson in the interim.
Thompson has been remanded in custody.
There is a ban in place that prohibits the publication of any evidence discussed during this phase of the court process.
According to previously published reports, a 44-year-old woman was found dead on July 4 at a Bedford Street home in Chatham following a well-being check by Chatham-Kent police. She was identified as Cynthia Sitzes in court documents.
Police have not provided any additional details about the cause of death or the relationship between the suspect and the woman.
At the time, neighboring residents said were unaware of the discovery of a body and the subsequent arrest, saying they were surprised to hear that someone had been charged with murder.