A 2024 Chatham murder case has another twist in its journey towards justice.
The lawyer presumed to be defending murder suspect Jeffrey Davis told Justice Brian Dube on Monday that she hasn't been officially retained, adding that she may not be the right lawyer to handle this case. The court was under the assumption that Davis' request to change lawyers was recently approved.
Cassandra Demelo is the second lawyer Davis has had. The first lawyer was removed a year ago.
Demelo said she has been waiting for funding approval from legal aid before going on record to represent Davis, and that her assistant may have made a mistake a couple of weeks ago when she told the court that Demelo was going to be the counsel on record.
The trial for Davis was to take place this year, but Demelo told Justice Dube it may not happen until July 2027, or as late as the Fall of 2027, if she accepted the case.
All involved in the case have been told repeatedly that delay is a "real issue." The trial must be held before the end of this year to meet requirements for a timely trial.
The case returns to court on Friday afternoon, and Demelo said she will try to get another lawyer to resume the file.
"You're involved. Whether you like it or not, you're involved," said a frustrated Justice Dube. "Whether you've been retained or not, your name keeps popping up. You have some responsibilities as far as I'm concerned."
The prosecution claimed that Demelo didn't apply for legal aid until this month, four months since being attached to the Davis file.
Davis, 46, of Chatham, is charged with the first-degree murder of 27-year-old Louise Thomson from Milton, who was found dead at a home on William Street South in Chatham in June 2024.
Davis' co-accused, Shaquille Belle, who was charged in September, months after Davis, now has a lawyer. However, his case is in limbo because of the new twist in Davis' case.
