Saskatoon criminal lawyer Brian Pfefferle told the court he needed an adjournment because he lost contact with his client in the Regina Correctional Centre.
“They actually lost him in the Regina Correctional Centre,” Pfefferle told Meadow Lake Provincial Court May 12.
Pfefferle represents 42-year-old Aaron Gardiner who is accused of holding a girl against her will for four days at a remote northern Saskatchewan cabin last year.
Saskatoon Senior Crown Prosecutor Evan Thompson didn’t oppose defence’s request for an adjournment to May 26.
Pfefferle waived his client’s appearance and said the purpose of today’s appearance was to confirm which charges the defence wanted a preliminary hearing. A preliminary hearing was tentatively set in Meadow Lake Provincial Court on Aug. 25 and 26.
Pfefferle also said that by then he should know whether or not the Saskatchewan Attorney General has approved the Crown to proceed by direct indictment. If direct indictment is approved then there won’t be a preliminary hearing and the case would be sent directly to trial.
Gardiner wants a preliminary hearing and a trial in Court of Queen’s Bench with a judge and jury. Preliminary hearings are held to determine whether there is enough evidence for the accused to stand trial.
Gardiner has been in custody since he was arrested in April 2020 for allegedly holding a girl captive for four days at a remote cabin across from Île-à-la-Crosse Lake. He was charged with unlawful confinement, assault, overcoming resistance, uttering threats, resisting arrest, possessing a firearm for a dangerous purpose, use of a firearm in commission of an indictable offence, proceeds of crime, and possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Three months after his arrest, police added more charges after more alleged victims came forward.
The charges against Gardiner haven’t been proven in court.
Saskatchewan Justice and Attorney General spokesperson Noel Busse said that staff didn't lose an inmate within Regina Correctional Centre.
"My understanding is that the lawyer called and was mistakenly transferred to the wrong unit," said Busse. "The lawyer had a conversation with video court staff who ultimately put him in touch with the inmate."
Story updated May 12, 7:24 p.m. to reflect comments from the spokesperson at Saskatchewan Justice and Attorney General.
