The trial of a man accused of first degree murder in the death of Victoria Head has been postponed indefinitely due to an ongoing investigation into practices at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. That’s according to lawyer Bob Buckingham.

Steve Bragg’s murder trail was scheduled to start on Monday, but Buckingham says unrelated issues at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office has forced the postponement.

Buckingham says it was revealed that there were two incidents of cross-contamination of DNA evidence in two separate and unrelated cases six months apart.

Buckingham found out about the situation last week and the Crown applied to have the trial postponed. The reason being that the police investigation into the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner dates back three years and captures the work done in relation to Victoria Head’s death.

Uncertain Timeline

Buckingham can’t say how long the trial might be postponed.

He says the evidence was also analyzed by the forensics lab in Ottawa, but the cross contamination appears to have occurred at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and the investigation could take some time.

Buckingham, who calls the development a “shocker,” is filing a bail application next week for his client.

The Jordan ruling sets clear timelines for when a matter must go before trial, but Buckingham says there are provisions in Jordan that can allow for certain delays, and recognize situations that are beyond anyone’s control.

There’s no word on whether the ongoing police investigation might impact other trials.

Bob Buckingham spoke with Fred Hutton on the VOCM Morning Show. Listen below: