The trial of Ibrahim Ali, the man accused of murder in the death of a 13-year-old found in a Burnaby park six years ago, was adjourned Friday after the unexpected absence of the presiding judge.
Burnaby RCMP Const. Jason Cutler, the officer who arrested Ali in September 2018, was expected to continue his testimony Friday morning at the B.C. Supreme Court trial in Vancouver.
Instead of B.C. Justice Lance Bernard appearing on the bench, however, Justice Heather Holmes appeared to say Bernard was "unexpectedly" unable to be there.
“This is information that has come to the court only very, very recently, and we're gathering information," Holmes told the jury before adjourning the trial until Tuesday at 10 a.m.
"If adjustments need to be made to that, you'll be notified, but we're hopeful that on Tuesday the case will proceed and continue in the ordinary course," she said.
She thanked the jurors for their patience.
Ali has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the death of the girl.
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