Egland scores Teddy Bear Toss goal but Pats lose in OT
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Over 3,000 stuffed animals were tossed onto the ice.
Just days before former Legacy Christian Academy director John Olubobokun was scheduled to begin a three-day trial in Saskatoon provincial court, he dismissed his lawyer Daniel Tangjerd and retained Nicholas Stooshinoff as his new counsel.
Olubobokun’s trial, along with co-accused Duff Friesen, was scheduled to begin on June 24, and last about two days, according to Crown prosecutor Sheryl Fillo. Olubobokun is facing five assault charges dating back to his time at the private Christian school in Saskatoon.
Fillo said the Crown was ready to proceed as scheduled, with six witnesses expected to testify.
Stooshinoff told the court he needed – ideally – about 30 days to review disclosure in the case, adding there would be a waiver of his client’s right to be tried within a reasonable time.
Judge Inez Cardinal said it was “unfortunate the accused has waited to the 11th hour, and now (the trial) has to be adjourned.”
But despite criticizing the move, Cardinal granted an adjournment to August 1. A new trial date will be set at that time.
Olubobokun is facing a total of 14 charges, including nine charges of assault with a weapon in a separate trial that began on June 10. The defence was granted an adjournment until late October in that case.
Caitlin Erickson, a former student at Legacy Christian Academy who has said she suffered abuse during her time there, said it’s frustrating that found it frustrating that both of Olubobokun’s trials have been delayed.
“There are so many witnesses in this particular case, so a lot of people have taken time off work and, you know, had to schedule things with their kids, including myself to be able to be available for these trial dates, so again it speaks to the character of this individual,” she said.
Caitlin Erickson speaks to the media outside Saskatoon’s provincial courthouse during a previous court date. (Mia Holowaychuk/650 CKOM)
“But we will keep pursuing justice. That was the whole point. We knew it was going to be a lengthy process, but we’ll just keep at it.”
Erickson and a number of other former students are plaintiffs on a lawsuit against 22 individuals affiliated with Mile Two Church and Legacy Christian Academy, seeking more than $25 million in compensation.
In addition to Olubobokun, the school’s former principal Duff Friesen is also facing charges of assault, and former vice-principal and director Ken Schultz is facing charges of sexual assault and assault with a weapon.
Aaron Benneweis, the school’s former athletic director, previously pleaded guilty to charges of sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a minor, and was handed a sentence of two years less a day.
More recently, a Saskatoon mother came forward with a complaint to both police and the Ministry of Education, alleging her autistic seven-year-old son was assaulted by a teacher at the school with a baton.