Edward Butler, a 61-year-old man accused of not only having sexual relations with a nine-year-old girl, but of taking photos of her while in the act, appeared in Supreme Court earlier this week for the opening of his trial.
Mr. Butler’s lawyer, Ian Cargill, asked the court for leave to withdraw the case due to a conflict of scheduling. Mr. Cargill is currently appearing before another Supreme Court judge in a high-profile murder case.
Apparently defending two criminals at once is too much for Mr. Cargill’s conscious.
Justice Vera Watkins granted the application. Turning to the accused, Justice Watkins informed Mr. Butler that the registrar would assign counsel to represent him.
Mr. Butler faces charges of unlawful sexual intercourse and child pornography. As expected, he denies both charges.
According to reports, Mr. Butler allegedly committed these acts between November 2009 and January 2010.
The victim is now 13-years-old. She and four other witnesses for the prosecution were asked to return to court later this week.
Prosecuting the case for the Crown is Darnell Dorsett, Maria Zancolla and Charles Newbold.
