The remainder of court proceedings in the sled dog case against Robert Fawcett will continue in North Vancouver, as a judge reluctantly granted Crown counsels request to move the case out of the Pemberton courthouse.
Fawcett did not appear for Thursdays initial hearing in Pemberton but was represented by Whistler lawyer Greg Diamond. Fawcett is charged with causing unnecessary pain and suffering to a number of sled dogs, under the Criminal Code of Canada, stemming from an alleged slaying of dozens of dogs in April 2010.
Crown counsels Nicole Gregoire made an application to move the file to North Vancouver citing security concerns, as Fawcett has been receiving threats recently, some of them coming internationally.
Gregoire said B.C. Sheriff Services could better handle security matters at the larger North Vancouver courthouse, which would also allow more public access given the expected media interest in the case.
Justice D.E. Moss said Fawcett would receive a fair trial in Pemberton but agreed to meet the Crowns request.
The next hearing is set for June 19 at 9:30 a.m.
The Crown suggested that, should the case go to trial, it would likely be a two-week affair. Gregoire said that the Crown has expert, police and civilian witnesses ready to testify against Fawcett, including former co-workers. However, Diamond stressed that no plea has been entered yet and the case has yet to go to trial.
with files from Jennifer Miller
eric@whistlerquestion.com
