Robert Steven Wright will be back in court two years to the month he was convicted of the second-degree murder, before a North Bay judge on March 13, March 24 and April 4, 2025.
Wright was convicted in March 2023 of the stabbing death of Renée Sweeney, who died at her workplace on Jan. 27, 1998.
Trial dates were set Aug. 7 for his new North Bay charges including criminal harassment, forcible confinement and two counts of sexual assault after an investigation by North Bay police regarding alleged incidents that pre-dated his Sudbury murder conviction.
Wright was set to appear in front of North Bay court but did not due to a delay on the part of Millhaven Institute, where Wright is serving his life sentence. Aditi Iyer, a representative of Wright’s lawyer, Joseph Wilkinson, appeared on his behalf.
She asked for an additional week’s adjournment so that a date could be set for a pre-trial motion, but also agreed to the trial dates set.
At a July 17 appearance, Iyer told the judge that the defence and Crown had agreed to proceed “summarily” on the charges he is facing.
The choice to move summarily means the court process will be more straightforward, and will proceed to trial without a jury. The consequences of offences when pursued summarily can also be lessened, though that varies significantly.
A judicial pre-trial (JPT) was held July 8, a chance for both sides to appear before a judge and examine the merits of the case. The accused could either plead guilty or go to trial. Wright’s defence opted for trial.
Jenny Lamothe covers court for Sudbury.com
