Man accused of Sudbury murder hospitalized with COVID-19 after jail outbreak
The man who is accused of Renee Sweeney's 1998 murder in Sudbury has been hospitalized due to COVID-19, his new lawyer says.
Robert Steven Wright has been at the Sudbury jail since his arrest in December 2018.
A COVID-19 outbreak was declared at the facility on Oct. 15 prompting the jail to shut down and prisoners to be transferred. At last count 59 cases were connected to the jail outbreak.
Michael Lacy told Justice Patricia Hennessy in an assignment court Zoom call that Wright was not in attendance Tuesday morning because he has been hospitalized in Toronto with the disease.
Lacy became Wright's counsel less than a month ago when Berk Keaney stepped aside citing a conflict of interest.
Crown Attorney Kevin Ludgate and Lacy told the court they have agreed upon tentative dates for the case next year.
The murder trial by jury is tentatively scheduled to begin Sept. 12, 2022.
None of the allegations has been proven in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prime Minister Trudeau pledges more aid and loans to Ukraine at G7 summit
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced more money for Ukraine -- including a $200-million loan through the International Monetary Fund -- at the end of the Group of Seven leaders' summit in Germany.

G7 leaders end summit pledging to hurt Russia economically
Leaders of the world's wealthiest democracies struck a united stance to support Ukraine for 'as long as it takes' as Russia's invasion grinds on, and said they would explore far-reaching steps to cap Kremlin income from oil sales that are financing the war.
Child dies after being left in hot car while mother taught at Ontario high school, mayor says
An Ontario community is reeling after a 23-month-old boy died when he was accidentally left in a hot car outside the school where his mother taught, the mayor says.
Ottawa convoy organizer Tamara Lich arrested in Alberta for alleged breach of bail conditions
Tamara Lich, one of the organizers of the Freedom Convoy, has been arrested in Alberta for alleged breach of bail conditions, CTV News has learned.
'Deepest apologies': Central Alberta rodeo organizers shocked by parade float
Organizers of a central Alberta rodeo and its parade committee are calling for calm after a float in this weekend's parade, which possessed a racist theme, was seen in the procession.
Germany: former Nazi guard, 101, jailed for aiding murder
A 101-year-old man was convicted in Germany of 3,518 counts of accessory to murder on Tuesday for serving at the Nazis' Sachsenhausen concentration camp during the Second World War.
Mary Mara, 'ER' and 'Ray Donovan' actress, dead at 61
Mary Mara, an actress known for roles on 'ER' and 'Ray Donovan,' has died, her manager, Craig Dorfman, said in a statement to CNN. She was 61.
More than half of Canadians oppose Oath of Allegiance to the Queen
Most people in Canada do not think people should have to swear an Oath of Allegiance to the Queen, according to a poll ahead of Canada Day.
'There won't be occupiers': City of Ottawa, police prepared for Canada Day protests
City of Ottawa staff and the Ottawa Police Service are ensuring residents that planned protests on Canada Day will not devolve into the kind of occupation that residents endured this past winter.