Tony Humby sexual abuse trial postponed after new lawyer takes case

The trial of a St. John's man accused of sexually abusing young people has been delayed, after a change of lawyers.

Tony Humby, 63, is now represented by Legal Aid lawyer Mark Gruchy.

In a brief appearance at provincial court Friday morning, Gruchy asked that the trial be postponed.

"I've received instructions from Mr. Humby to request his current trial dates be vacated, due to the fact that I have just come onto his file," Gruchy told the court.

The seven-week trial was scheduled to begin July 2, and run for most of the summer.

Gruchy said he hasn't yet completed his review of disclosure related to the Crown's case, noting that there are thousands of pages in the file.

Crown lawyer Deidre Badcock consented, acknowledging the volume of information related to the case.

"We're ready to go," Badcock said. "We understand the change in counsel has put a wrench in things."

Associate Chief Judge Jennifer Mercer granted the application.

No new trial dates have been set, and Humby is now due back in court on June 19 when his co-accused, Bruce Escott, makes his next appearance.

Escott has been considering whether to accept a plea deal from the Crown.

• Bruce Escott, charged with sexual abuse of minors, pondering plea deal

The 81-year-old is facing more than a dozen charges one of them an alleged sexual assault that dates all the way back to 1995.

Humby is facing more than 30 charges, including sexual assault, sexual interference and sexual exploitation. Those alleged offences span nearly two decades.

The two men were neighbours on the same street in a trailer park near the airport in St. John's.

Both have been in custody since charges were laid more than a year ago.

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