Snowbirds pilot headed for trial amid sexual assault accusations
Accused of sexual assault, former Canadian Forces Snowbirds pilot Maj. Steven Hurlbut appears headed for trial.
Wednesday morning trial dates were supposed to be put on the record in the Barrie courthouse when a representative for Hurlbut's lawyer, Karl Toews, expressed concerns about the defence counsel's availability before the proposed late August trial dates.
The defence also noted it was not willing to waive Section 11(b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which protects an accused person's liberty, security and the right to a fair trial in a reasonable timeframe.
Criminal cases in the Ontario Court of Justice are expected to be completed within 15 months under the recently introduced Jordan-compliant trial scheduling direction.
The 48-year-old Hurlbut from Alberta, who's been a pilot for more than 30 years, was charged with sexual assault against another member of the military last June around the time the Snowbirds took flight for their annual Barrie Airshow.
The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service charged Hurlbut about a week after the military said its investigation began into alleged sexual misconduct. The charge, however, is now being handled in civilian criminal court in Barrie and not within the military system.
A publication ban protects the complainant's identity.
Before the charges, Hurlbut had been a member of the Snowbirds for two years, served as a lecturer at Royal Military College, and was a fighter pilot on 36 combat missions in Syria and Iraq starting in 2014.
Hurlbut, also known on the aerial acrobatics team as Stu, was flying lead solo in the number nine jet when the Department of National Defence said, after the Barrie Airshow, Hurlbut had been removed from the team and reassigned. At the same time, the Snowbirds performed with eight aircraft.
On Thursday, the Department of National Defence confirmed to CTV News Hurlbut is no longer a member of the Snowbirds and is currently employed with 4 Operations Support Squadron at 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta.
The matter returns in a virtual courtroom next week to address the defence's concerns.
The allegations against the accused have not been tested in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Toronto eliminated from PWHL playoffs
Toronto has been eliminated from the PWHL playoffs.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.