THUNDER BAY — A trial for Sylvie Hauth and Holly Walbourne could proceed as early as this summer, with defence lawyers for both accused ready to proceed.
On Monday afternoon, both the former police chief and former in-house lawyer for the Thunder Bay Police Service appeared via video in a virtual courtroom to try to set dates for pre-trial motions and a trial.
Hauth and Walbourne were charged in April 2024 following an OPP investigation that began in 2021. Hauth is facing one count of obstructing a public or peace officer, one count of breach of trust, and two counts of obstruction of justice. Walbourne was charged with obstructing a public or peace officer, breach of trust, and three counts of obstruction of justice.
The case has proceeded through direct indictment, meaning there will be no preliminary inquiry.
Both Walbourne and Hauth have elected to be tried by a judge alone.
Walbourne’s lawyer, Samara Sector, said they were offered trial dates for 2026 but “everyone wants earlier than that.”
Dates for August and September of this year were also offered and Sector said Walbourne is available for all of those dates and is “eager to proceed.”
Defence lawyer Matthew Kay, representing Hauth, said his client also wants to pursue trial dates in 2025.
A week of pre-trial motions also needs to be scheduled with those motions needing to be dealt with at least one month ahead of the trial.
No trial dates could be chosen on Monday as a judge from an outside jurisdiction will have to preside over the trial and that judge’s availability was not yet known.
The case has been adjourned to late April in order to obtain trial dates.
None of the allegations against either accused have been proven in court.
