MOOSE JAW — Moose Jaw lawyer Estes Fonkalsrud has withdrawn as defence counsel for outgoing MLA Greg Lawrence because of a supposed conflict of interest, while a trial date has been set to hear the alleged offences.
Fonkalsrud appeared for Lawrence in Moose Jaw Provincial Court on July 16 and told Judge David Chow that he appeared to have an issue with one Crown witness that could cause a conflict of interest. While he had reviewed the situation and didn’t think he was in conflict, he had nevertheless told Lawrence that he should find a new defence lawyer.
However, the lawyer still thought the court should set a trial date for the outgoing MLA’s charges and suggested Monday, Nov. 18. Meanwhile, he would remain on the record for Lawrence until his next court date on Wednesday, July 31.
Crown prosecutor Rob Parker said his office had no issue with Fonkalsrud staying on as defence counsel and didn’t see any reason to remove him from the file. However, since Fonkalsrud was withdrawing, the Crown thought the court should put pressure on Lawrence, 58, to find a new lawyer.
Judge Chow accepted Fonkalsrud’s withdrawal and agreed to the July 31 adjournment date, which should give Lawrence time to find a new lawyer and the court time to confirm the November trial date.
According to previous information, the Moose Jaw Police Service charged Lawrence with assault on Jan. 31, after it began an investigation on June 27, 2023, into complaints of assault during an interaction between two people.
Specifically, police charged Lawrence with assault, contrary to section 266 of the Criminal Code, and choking, contrary to section 267 of the Criminal Code.
Lawrence had announced on Jan. 30 that he was resigning from the Saskatchewan Party caucus after it became known that he was the subject of a police investigation.
Lawrence, who had previously announced he would not seek re-election following a single-vehicle motorcycle collision in August 2023, now sits as an independent Member of the Legislative Assembly for the remainder of the term.
He has been the MLA for the Moose Jaw Wakamow constituency since 2011, winning by 201 votes over NDP incumbent Deb Higgins. Lawrence then won by 695 votes over NDP candidate Karen Purdy during the 2016 election and won by 822 over NDP candidate Melissa Patterson in 2020.
The next provincial election must occur on or before Monday, Oct. 28, according to election rules. In the Wakamow constituency, Sask. Party candidate Megan Patterson will face off against NDP candidate Melissa Patterson; neither is related.
