A change in venue may be coming for the second-degree murder trial against Robert Steven Wright, who was arrested and charged for the grisly death of Renée Sweeney in 1998.
Wright appeared in person on Feb. 18, where the court heard his lawyers — Berk Keaney and Michael Venturi — are filing the application. The matter was adjourned to Feb. 21, where a date will be set for the application.
Wright is also filing a Rowbotham application — for people facing serious and complex criminal charges who have been denied legal aid, but cannot afford a lawyer. That matter will return to court March 11 at 10 a.m.
Last week, the Crown attorney failed in its attempt to have Keaney and Venturi removed as counsel, after filing a motion in December.
Sweeney was working at an adult video store on Paris Street when she was attacked and stabbed to death.
Wright was arrested Dec. 12, 2018, at North Bay Regional Health Centre, where he worked as a laboratory technician.
He was originally charged with first-degree murder, however, since then the charge was downgraded, and the Crown's office succeeded in securing a direct indictment, meaning there will be no preliminary hearing.
