SUNDRE - The first-degree murder trial of a man accused in the killing of a fellow Sundre McDonald’s restaurant worker in July 2022 will resume in June, court officials said Monday.
Solaimane Elbettah faces a first degree murder charge in the death of Josh Burns. Elbettah has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
His Court of King’s Bench judge-only trial before Justice Glen Poelman began on Feb. 26 in Calgary and was adjourned after a week of testimony.
According to an agreed statement of facts presented during the opening of the trial on Feb. 26, Elbettah admitted killing Burns with a machete as the two worked at the restaurant early on the morning of July 4, 2022.
Elbettah’s lawyer Pawel Milzcarek is pursuing a not-criminally-responsible defence.
During the trial psychiatrist Dr. Cynthia Baxter reportedly testified that Elbettah suffered delusions and hallucinations that caused him to believe demons were controlling him. She diagnosed Elbettah as suffering from schizophrenia.
Following Baxter’s testimony, Justice Poelman granted Crown prosecutor Vince Pingitore an adjournment so he can consult with a second psychiatrist before cross-examining Baxter.
The trial will continue in Court of King’s Bench in Calgary on June 4 and run through to June 7, court officials said March 25.
