Man accused of killing Renee Sweeney changes lawyers, trial delayed
Man accused of killing Renee Sweeney changes lawyers, trial delayed
Sudbury -
There has been another delay in the Renee Sweeney murder court case as the man accused in her murder has changed lawyers two weeks before his trial was set to begin.
Robert Steven Wright was charged in December 2018 with murdering Sweeney in 1998. He has been in jail since his arrest.
A man accused of second-degree murder in a case dating back 22 years in Sudbury, Robert Steven Wright, has been denied bail for the second time. (File photo)
The trial was supposed to begin in May, but because of concern that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could force a postponement, Justice Gregory Ellies rescheduled it to Oct. 25.
In a court hearing Tuesday morning, Wright's lead counsel, defence lawyer Berk Keaney, declared a conflict. Keaney told CTV News all parties agreed that it would be proper for him to step aside as lead counsel. Michael Lacy will take his place.
Lacy is known for having child pornography charges against a Sudbury doctor withdrawn.
Michael Venturi is another lawyer on the defence team. When asked if he will remain on the case, he told CTV News "that is to be determined."
"This matter returns to criminal assignment court on Nov. 2 to set new dates for the pre-trial motions and trial," a court clerk told CTV News in an email.
Wright was an 18-year-old high school senior when Sweeney, 23, was brutally stabbed to death at Adults Only Video on Paris Street, where she worked as a clerk.
Police supplied photos of Steven Wright who would have been 18 at the time of Renee Sweeney's murderThe investigation into her killing produced few leads until late 2018 when Greater Sudbury Police arrested Wright while he was at work in North Bay.
None of the allegations has been proven in court.
With files from Darren MacDonald, a digital content producer for CTV News Sudbury
Correction
The change in Wright's lead council is due to a conflict declared by Berk Keaney.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Supreme Court says expanded rape shield laws are constitutional
The Supreme Court of Canada says the expanded rules to further prevent a sexual assault complainant's past from being used against them in a trial are 'constitutional in their entirety.'
Poilievre joins soldier protesting COVID-19 mandates in march through Ottawa ahead of Canada Day
Canadian Forces veteran James Topp was joined by Conservative Party leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre on his march through Ottawa today, as part of the final leg of his cross-country march to protest COVID-19 vaccine requirements.
Snowbirds cancel Canada Day fly-over in Ottawa
The traditional Canada Day fly-past over Ottawa by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds has been cancelled, following a problem with the aircraft's emergency ejection parachute that grounded the fleet.
More Canadian troops headed to Latvia, Trudeau says at NATO summit
Canada will be sending more troops to Latvia as part of a pledge to upgrade and strengthen the NATO battlegroup it is leading there, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday.
Missing luggage has become flight passengers’ latest headache amid flight delays
Exasperating delays at airports are increasing claims of lost or missing baggage, which one aviation expert blames on staff shortages.
'What were they waiting for?' Woman inside Saanich bank amid shootout describes 'calm' gunmen
A woman who was trapped inside a bank during a robbery and fatal shootout with police near Victoria on Tuesday says there is one question still plaguing her a day later: Why didn't the gunmen just leave with the money?
Nutrition warnings coming to the front of pre-packaged food in Canada
Canada will require that companies add nutrition warnings to the front of pre-packaged food with high levels of saturated fat, sugar or sodium in an effort to help grocery shoppers make healthier choices with just a glance.
What your Canada Day BBQ will cost with hot inflation
The Canada Day long weekend is the perfect time for burgers on the grill, cold drinks and time with family and friends. Yet a backyard barbecue comes with a bigger price tag this year as food prices soared 9.7 per cent in May.
WHO: COVID-19 cases rising nearly everywhere in the world
The number of new coronavirus cases rose by 18 per cent in the last week, with more than 4.1 million cases reported globally, according to the World Health Organization.
Barrie
-
Parry Sound man charged with attempted murder
A Parry Sound man has been charged following a violent assault this week.
-
Armed men steal pizza delivery car in Gravenhurst: OPP
Police are investigating an armed robbery after two suspects allegedly jumped into a pizza delivery car and took off in Muskoka.
-
Newmarket residents displaced after smoke fills home
A garage fire in Newmarket has temporarily displaced three residents after smoke filled their home.
Toronto
-
Ford says wage increase for Ontario public school teachers will be 'more than 1 per cent'
Public-sector teachers in Ontario will see their wages increase by more than one per cent as legislation aimed at capping compensation for those workers is set to expire later this year.
-
Ontario gas prices about to take huge drop and this is the best time to fill up
Ontario gas prices are about to take a huge drop and one expert says it will be 'well worth waiting' if drivers can hold off on filling up.
-
This Toronto house was divided by landlord into 15 separate units
As Toronto grapples with a housing crisis, one landlord has decided to divide a single house into 15 separate units.
Ottawa
-
Poilievre joins soldier protesting COVID-19 mandates in march through Ottawa ahead of Canada Day
Canadian Forces veteran James Topp was joined by Conservative Party leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre on his march through Ottawa today, as part of the final leg of his cross-country march to protest COVID-19 vaccine requirements.
-
Ontario gas prices about to take huge drop and this is the best time to fill up
Ontario gas prices are about to take a huge drop and one expert says it will be 'well worth waiting' if drivers can hold off on filling up.
-
Snowbirds cancel Canada Day fly-over in Ottawa
The traditional Canada Day fly-past over Ottawa by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds has been cancelled, following a problem with the aircraft's emergency ejection parachute that grounded the fleet.
Kitchener
-
No movement at Kitchener encampment on eviction day
The eviction deadline for people living at an encampment at Victoria and Weber Streets in Kitchener has come and gone, but residents of the property say they’re not moving.
-
Calls for traffic controls at 'treacherous' Kitchener intersection after crash
A serious collision in Kitchener Tuesday has prompted calls for traffic controls to be installed at the off-ramps of Highway 7/8 onto Ira Needles Boulevard.
-
Kitchener business says it lost $70,000 in fraudulent fund transfers
A Bowmanville man faces several charges after a Kitchener business said it lost over $70,000 due to fraudulent electronic fund transfers.
London
-
Stabbing being investigated by London police
A 23-year-old London man is being sought after an aggravated assault in downtown London Tuesday night, according to police.
-
The Dream Lottery winner is....
The winners of the 2022 Dream Lottery’s top prizes have been announced.
-
One person airlifted to hospital after crash near Petrolia
One person has been airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after an early morning crash in Lambton County, according to police.
Windsor
-
10 'grandparent scam' incidents under investigation in Essex County: OPP
Essex County OPP are warning residents as they investigate 10 reported incidents of a “grandparent scam” in the region.
-
Driver seriously hurt as hydrovac truck tips over in Chatham-Kent
Chatham-Kent police say a driver sustained serious injuries after a crash in Howard Township.
-
What you need to know about crossing the Canada-US border this summer
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is reminding all travellers crossing the border of what to expect at the border during the busy summer months.
Montreal
-
Montreal airport to 'likely' cancel flights, destinations amid summertime staffing shortage
Travellers flying out of the Montreal airport might be in for a shock this summer as airlines will likely need to cancel some flights — or destinations altogether.
-
1 injured, others potentially missing as fire rages in Longueuil
One person is in hospital after a fire broke out in a home in Longueuil.
-
MISSING
MISSING | Police ask for help to find 15-year-old Montreal boy
Montreal police are asking for the public's help to locate 15-year-old Steven Marakot, who was last seen on June 29 in the Villeray-St-Michel-Parc Extension borough.
Atlantic
-
Spouse of gunman to testify at N.S. shooting hearings but won't be cross-examined
The spouse of the gunman in the Nova Scotia mass shooting will testify mid-July before a public inquiry, but she won't face direct questions from lawyers representing victims' families.
-
Saint John to celebrate Memorial Cup win with parade today
Saint John is having its dog day. The host city of the 2022 Memorial Cup is celebrating after the Saint John Sea Dogs downed the Hamilton Bulldogs 6-3 in front of a capacity crowd during Wednesday's championship game at TD Station.
-
Response to mass shootings should be 'political and immediate,' survivor says
Former public safety minister Bill Blair was asked yet again Wednesday about whether his government interfered in the investigation into the April 2020 shooting spree in Nova Scotia -- a question that has grabbed political attention in Ottawa for over a week.
Winnipeg
-
COVID-19 cases down in Manitoba, 18 deaths reported
The number of COVID-19 cases reported in Manitoba has dropped, though the province identified 18 more COVID-19 deaths.
-
Storm brought baseball-sized hail, 90 km wind gusts to parts of Manitoba: ECCC
A storm that initially sparked tornado warnings across western Manitoba pelted parts of the province with large hail and strong winds Wednesday night.
-
Suspect wanted in connection with two homicides arrested: WPS
The Winnipeg Police Service said Leah Carol Clifton was arrested Friday at a home in the 500 block of Spence Street.
Calgary
-
Calgary arson suspect captured by convenience store camera
Surveillance video of the suspect in two deliberately set fires in a northwest Calgary neighbourhood has been released as police search for the firebug.
-
Air Canada to reduce flights this summer amid 'customer service shortfalls'
Air Canada is planning to reduce its flights in July and August, according to a statement from the company's president, as the airline continues to deal with 'customer service shortfalls.'
-
'Permanent bone loss': Calgary study finds astronauts suffer on return to Earth
The TBone study, conducted over a seven-year period starting in 2015, found that prolonged weightlessness accelerated bone loss in the astronauts.
Edmonton
-
Tickets to Papal Mass at Commonwealth Stadium available next Wednesday
Tickets for Pope Francis' mass at Commonwealth Stadium on July 26 will be available next Wednesday. The tickets are free and will go live at papalvisit.ca at 10:30 a.m. MT.
-
'Horrifying': Man charged in complex investigation involving dozens of Edmonton arsons
A man is facing multiple charges in connection with a rash of arsons in the Alberta Avenue area, and police are calling him a key suspect in a complex investigation.
-
Heads up, homeowners: Property taxes are due today
Residents who don't pay by the end of Thursday will be charged a five per cent penalty on Friday, the city wrote in a release.
Vancouver
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Glass bottle thrown at baby in stroller; Vancouver police looking for victims
Police in Vancouver are asking the victims of an attack on a baby in a stroller to come forward with more information.
-
Got a text about a Vancouver parking ticket? It's a scam, city says
The City of Vancouver is warning residents not to click on links or give personal information in response to text messages about overdue parking tickets claiming to be from the city.
-
B.C. highway crash: 2 people dead after vehicle enters oncoming lane, collides with trucks
Two people have died after their vehicle crossed into an oncoming lane of traffic on a British Columbia highway Wednesday.