Jason MacRae, charged with the first-degree murder of his wife, Paula Gallant, backed out of a bail hearing at the last minute Thursday.
Gallant’s family and friends waited anxiously in the courtroom as lawyers held closed-door meetings.
Then, after over an hour of delay, defence attorney Mike Taylor told the court something came up.
“There are issues that have just recently arisen that we will not be able to be in a position to proceed with that application this morning. We’re asking to adjourn without (setting a new date),” he said.
MacRae was not present in court although the sheriffs were ready to bring him up from cells.
Taylor said he filed a designation to be able to appear in court without his client.
Justice Felix Cacchione acknowledged Taylor’s comments and made one of his own.
“I find it very disconcerting that I have learned more about this case in reading newspaper accounts than I have in legal documents,” he said.
“This matter is to be tried in this court and not in the media. Whoever is releasing information, I would ask they would refrain from doing so in order not to jeopardize this proceeding.”
After the case was adjourned, Crown attorney Denise Smith told reporters to her knowledge those comments from the Justice were not prompted by any complaints from the Crown.
MacRae can make another application for bail at any time.
