An artist's sketch shows Luka Rocco Magnotta (R) in court looking on as crime-scene technician Caroline Simoneau testifies during his preliminary hearing in Montreal, March 12, 2013. REUTERS/Atalante
MONTREAL - A preliminary hearing for alleged body-parts killer Luka Rocco Magnotta was delayed Wednesday when the Crown requested one of his lawyers be booted off the case.
The lawyer decided instead to withdraw "in the best interests of justice" after the Crown expressed concerns about a possible conflict of interest.
Prosecutor Louis Bouthillier raised what he termed a "somewhat problematic" point of law during mid-morning testimony by a Montreal homicide investigator.
The witness was told to leave the courtroom and Judge Lori-Renee Weitzman said she shared the Crown's concerns.
