Three months after the infamous party that led to 11 teens being charged, there have been some developments in the Lanigan hazing case.
Meeting at Humboldt provincial court on Dec. 16, Crown and defence attorneys agreed on an adjournment until Jan. 27, but unlike in the past, things will be happening between now and then. Lawyers will be canvassing potential witnesses and meeting with their clients to determine whether their individual cases will continue to trial or end in a plea deal.
Adjudicating a case involving 11 defendants is a logistical nightmare, as judge Jackson learned while sifting through reams of paper. More than anything, the goal of the proceedings on Dec. 16 was to simplify the process and consolidate all the cases on Jan. 27.
"Looks like we'll have to find a trial date that works for all five counsel," one of the lawyers said, before adding, "Good luck with that, Your Honour."
It remains to be seen if a trial date will be needed, as there was a sense that some or all of the cases could be resolved without need of a trial.
The 11 teens being charged include two adults, 18-year-olds Brayden Braun and Kyle Ekstrom, and nine youths who cannot be named under the terms of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The charges stem from a "freshie" party in September at which victims were struck with a modified hockey goalie stick. Charges include assault, assault with a weapon and assault causing bodily harm.
