Lukas Strasser-Hird murder trial will go ahead despite Nathan Gervias's disappearance
A jury will be selected on Thursday with the trial beginning Monday
Though the prisoners box might be less crowded, the murder trial in connection with the swarming death of Lukas Strasser-Hird will go on as scheduled.
Nathan Paul Gervais, 21 — one of five people charged with murder in the 2013 stabbing death behind a Calgary nightclub — has been on the lam for at least 10 days.
- Nathan Paul Gervais wanted on warrants ahead of Lukas Strasser-Hird murder trial
- Lukas Strasser-Hird homicide investigation nets 5th arrest
Crown prosecutor Ken McCaffrey, Justice Glen Poelman and lawyers for the five accused met on Monday afternoon.
Gervais's lawyer, Alain Hepner, has said he has no information regarding his client's whereabouts.
Before the jury is selected on Thursday, the lawyers and judge will meet once more on Wednesday afternoon.
The trial is set to begin on Monday but will be in voir dire — a hearing to decide the admissibility of evidence without the jury present — for the first two days.
If Gervais is captured after the trial begins, a second murder trial will be scheduled.
Canada-wide warrants issued
Gervais faces the most serious charge — first-degree murder — while the others are each charged with second-degree murder.
Gervais had been granted bail and was under 24-hour house arrest, but when police checked on him at his home on April 16 he wasn't there. Officers have not been able to track him down.
Canada-wide warrants have been issued for Gervais's arrest and anyone who had contact with him is asked to call police.
Another accused — Franz Cabrera — had his bail revoked in November after he was charged with drug-related offences.
The three others accused in Strasser-Hird's death are Joch Simon Pouk, Assmar Ryiad Shlah and Jordan Lee Liao.