The Crown attorney’s office is having difficulty contacting the complainant in the theft and trafficking case against EcoLife Home Improvement owner David Murray, who is currently on trial and faces 45 counts of fraud.
Murray was charged in April 2019 with theft under $5,000 and trafficking stolen property. The property in question allegedly belonged to David Beisel, a former sub-contractor who worked for Murray.
A one-day trial is scheduled for Oct. 5 with a trial readiness date set for Sept. 28.
In an interview with Sudbury.com after the theft charges were laid, Beisel said he had been storing some of his tools in one of Murray's trailers back in December of 2018. In January 2019, Murray allegedly drove the trailer full of Beisel's tools to North Bay and pawned the trailer — and its contents.
Assistant Crown attorney Kevin Ludgate told the court on Tuesday that Beisel has not yet been served a subpoena, despite efforts to do so, and alluded to the possibility that Beisel might be actively avoiding being served.
Ludgate said with the trial fast approaching, the Crown’s office would be at a crossroads if Beisel is not served by then. The matter will be discussed on Sept. 28.