Accused murderer Steffin Rees is headed to a two-week trial by jury in 2022, court heard April 20.
Rees had been expected to plead guilty earlier this month, however, the defence and Crown have come to an “impasse,” said assistant Crown attorney Kevin Ludgate.
“We had quite fruitful resolution discussions, but we are now at an impasse,” said Ludgate.
Rees is represented by defence lawyer Robert Beckett.
Rees will stand trial for 10 days starting Feb. 21, 2022. Jury selection will take place that day.
A one-day Scopelitti pretrial motion will take place Nov. 15. A Scopaletti motion is available to an accused person claiming self defence when charged with murder.
Rees is charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Preston Pellerin in November 2019.
Pellerin was stabbed near the provincial building on Cedar Street at about 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 15, 2019. He was 17.
Greater Sudbury Police said officers responded around 10:30 a.m. Nov. 15, 2019 to a weapons complaint. Police said upon arrival, officers found a 17-year-old male who required immediate medical attention. He was taken to Health Sciences North where he succumbed to his injuries.
Rees was arrested the following morning.
