A young couple accused of causing life-threatening injuries that sent their newborn child to hospital finally made an appearance before a judge yesterday, only to have the case delayed once again.
Ashiqur Rahman and Jane Gomes, both 23, each face one count of aggravated assault in relation to a July 23 incident that sent their seven-week-old daughter, Aurora Breakthrough, to the IWK Health Centre in Halifax. The child died four days later.
The couple was led into the Halifax provincial courtroom yesterday flanked by sheriff deputies, and were seated on opposite ends of the defendant’s bench as legal aid lawyer Peter Mancini requested the case be delayed to Nov. 16. Both Rahman and Gomes looked nervous, shifting glances between the judge, the lawyers, and those in attendance, but showed no sign of outward emotion.
This is the fourth time the case has been delayed. Mancini, who is representing Gomes, told reporters the delay was needed to review new disclosures, but things can move forward now that both accused have legal counsel. Rahmad’s lawyer is going to be Donald Murray.
“One of the accused’s lawyers needs some time to review some of the disclosure and there may be more coming, so matters have simply been put over to another date for election and plea,” Mancini said. “There is a fair amount of disclosure, a fair amount of paperwork … it’s important that all of that material be reviewed both by counsel and then by counsel with the client.”
“It’s been taking some time but now both parties have counsel, both parties have lawyers which was an important piece of the puzzle,” he said.
Rahman and Gomes, originally from Bangladesh and staying in Canada on student visas, both studied Computer Science at Acadia University, but were living on Gottingen Street above The Good Food Emporium at the time of the incident. Both have been remanded to the Burnside jail.
