It will be July before the London woman charged in last year’s fatal Girl Guides collision will see her case back before the courts.
At a brief appearance at the London courthouse on Wednesday, a representative for Petronella McNorgan’s lawyer requested more time to review the “extensive” disclosure in the case.
The 76-year-old, who is charged with one count of criminal negligence causing death and seven counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm, was not present for the proceedings.
Defence counsel has said written disclosure provided by the Crown is over 1,000 pages with hundreds of additional images.
During the six week adjournment requested, counsel also plans on having initial resolution discussions with the Crown.
Charges against McNorgan were announced nearly two months after the November 30 crash on Riverside Drive near Wonderland Road. Eight-year-old Alexandra Stemp and nine other pedestrians, including seven children, one teenager, and an adult, were hit by an SUV as they walked. Stemp was rushed to hospital where she later died from her injuries.
According to London police, the same SUV collided with another vehicle stopped at a red light, a light pole, and a tree moments before striking the Girl Guides troop. Police confirmed at the time there was no evidence to indicate the collision was an intentional act. McNorgan’s lawyer Phillip Millar has said he intends to argue mechanical failure is to blame as the vehicle had been taken in for brake service hours before the collision.
The case returns to court on July 6.
