Date to set bail hearing adjourned for alleged diamond thieves

A bail hearing for alleged diamond thieves Grigori Zaharov, 70, and Natalia Feldman, 44, has been delayed until next week.

Duty counsel Margaret Gallagher and Jeremy Erickson both asked Judge William McCarroll to give their clients additional time..

McCarroll agreed to the request, but asked that the two accused be ready to decide how they would like to be tried at that time,

"If they still wish for a bail hearing, it will be decided on that date," McCarroll said.

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Despite using a Russian-speaking interpreter for the majority of the court appearance, Zaharov and Feldman both responded to McCarroll in English that they understood what had been asked of them.

"Very clear," said Zaharov, wearing a black and white striped shirt and a matching black hat. "Thank you very much."

Both Feldman and Zaharov are accused of stealing a diamond from W. Smith and Company in Saint John. The jewelry store owner valued the diamond at $10,000. They are also accused of stealing an estimated $20,000 worth of diamonds in Charlottetown.

They were arrested outside their condo near Toronto on Oct. 19aftera surveillance video from W. Smith' and Company was released.

On Monday, Zaharov pleaded for the court to let his wife off. Through a translator, he told the judge he is the only one who's guilty.

The next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 17 at 1:30 p.m.