The trial for a man facing more than 70 sexual violence charges has been postponed again after his lawyer successfully argued that new information could affect some or all of the charges he’s facing.
In his decision this morning, Provincial Court Judge Rolf Pritchard said 64-year-old Tony Humby is entitled to make full answer and defence to the allegations against him.
He said the test is whether or not the new issues are “manifestly frivolous, and I can’t say that’s the case (here).”
The defence has two applications before the court; one involving a break-in at Humby’s house after his arrest but before the home was secured by police. The other involves the accidental disclosure of a document by the Crown — including statements the defence says could be critical to Humby’s innocence.
BREAKING || Trial for Tony Humby, 64, facing more than 70 sexual violence offences against a dozen complainants, postponed again. pic.twitter.com/0DX3ZY12ca
— VOCM News (@VOCMNEWS) March 20, 2025
The information came to light in late February, as lawyers were working toward a plea deal.
Defence lawyer Mark Gruchy argued it was all new to him and changed everything, and needed to be explored before the trial could begin.
And the judge agreed, denying the Crown’s bid to dismiss the defence issues and get on with the trial.
Record-holders must now be subpoened to testify, likely in-camera, which is due to start next week.
The judge gave Gruchy until Tuesday to re-file his applications after finding they were “deficient in notice provisions, substance and form.”
It’s not clear how long the hearings will take, and while the Crown contends this and previous delays are on the defence, the judge said that’s a matter for another day.
Humby’s co-accused, 82-year-old Bruce Escott, has already been sentenced to 13 years in prison in the case.
