By Tina Comeau
THE VANGUARD
NovaNewsNow.com
Three days have been set aside at the end of May for the trial of Yarmouth man who faces a charge of criminal negligence causing bodily harm in connection with a dog attack on a Yarmouth woman last March.
Gary Joseph Woods is scheduled to stand trial May 28, 29 and 30. The trial dates were selected during a Jan. 26 Supreme Court appearance. Woods was not present in his court but his new lawyer, Matthew Fraser, addressed the court on Woods’ behalf.
He told the court that the defence felt three days for the trial would be required as the Crown intends to call 13 witnesses to testify.
And while Fraser said the defence would like to get on with the trial sooner than later, he said since he has just recently taken over the court file some time will be needed to review the evidence and prepare for trial.
Woods had originally been slated to stand trial beginning Jan. 16. However, the trial had to be postponed because Woods’ previous lawyer, Raymond Jacquard, had to step down due to a conflict. Years ago Jacquard had offered legal advice on a civil matter to man who is going to be a Crown witness in this trial.
Woods was charged last May, two months after a March 26, 2011 attack on Yarmouth resident Noella McIntosh by a dog he owned. The dog was shot and killed by RCMP officers who arrived on the scene to help McIntosh.
McIntosh was seriously injured and had to be airlifted to Halifax for emergency medical treatment.
Woods was not at home when the attack occurred.
