There is still no plea in an animal abuse case dating to December 2013, but a Saskatchewan Court has dropped a related breach of a conditional sentence charge.
Walter Goba appeared in Yorkton court November 28 with an articling student from the Annand Law Office in Melfort.
Goba has been charged in Saskatchewan with four Criminal Code animal abuse offences, two Animal Protection Act charges and one count of breach of a conditional sentence.
The conditional sentence Goba is serving is related to almost identical charges in Manitoba, which he was convicted of in April as the Saskatchewan Crown was preparing charges in this province.
On Friday, the defence requested a two-week adjournment so the firm could finalize which lawyer would actually represent Goba going forward.
The Crown, did not object, but did advise the court that the Crown is becoming impatient with delays in the case and requested that the defence keep prosecutors in the loop.
After granting the adjournment Judge Patrick Reis turned to his breach decision. Reis called Goba 鈥渄ifficult, resistant, negative and angry鈥� saying the defendant 鈥渢hinks he makes the rules of his conditional sentence; he does not.鈥�
Nevertheless, the judge took into account that the breach was related to Goba鈥檚 grief over his wife鈥檚 passing. Reis described it as an 鈥渆xceptional case鈥� and said, 鈥渋n the interest of justice,鈥� he would sentence Goba to 20 days time served.
He then warned the accused that if he breached again, he would see the inside of a jail cell.
Goba is scheduled to make a plea on the animal cruelty charges December 12.
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