'One foot in front of the other': Cortney Lake's family at court for ex-boyfriend's update - Action News
Home WebMail Thursday, November 14, 2024, 01:53 AM | Calgary | 6.7°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
NL

'One foot in front of the other': Cortney Lake's family at court for ex-boyfriend's update

Friends and family of Cortney Lake attended Tuesday's court appearance, but her ex-boyfriend did not appear for the update on his alleged breaches.

Philip Steven Smith did not appear in provincial court Tuesday, represented by his lawyer

Glenda Power is the aunt of Cortney Lake. She says the family will not give up until Lake is found. (Gary Locke/CBC)

Family and friends of Cortney Lake gathered in a St. John's provincial courtroom Tuesday morning for an update on Lake's ex-boyfriend's matter.

Philip Steven Smith, 25, did not appear in court Tuesday morning, but was instead represented by his lawyer, Robert Hoskins.

Smithhas been in custody since June 27 for breaching court orders, including driving while disqualified.

Tuesday's court appearance was a status update. Smith's lawyer said he had asked the Crown for additional disclosure materials Friday. The Crown attorney said it should be ready in the next week or so.

Aug.4 has been set for the next status update.

Lake's aunt,GlendaPower, told CBC News her familyis"pleased with the court's decision to keep [Smith] in custody."

Court documents show Smith pleaded guilty to a number of offences on June 7, the same day Lake was last seen.

One of those offences was an April 15 assault against Lake. He was convicted of that and received a suspended sentence.

He was also convicted of breaching a recognizance that prohibited him from contacting Cortney Lake or her mother, Lisa Lake. That offence occurred two days before his June 7 court appearance. Smith was sentenced to two days time served.

Police obtained a warrant to search Philip Steven Smith's home last month and removed a number of items, including a truck. At the time, the RNC would not confirm whether that search is connected to Lake's disappearance. (CBC)

Lake was last seen the night of June 7, and police said the case is now a homicide investigation.

No one has been charged.

As for Lake's family, Power said they continue "putting one foot in front of the other. Praying we find her."

Volunteers have joined Lake's family in several organizedsearches in the last several weeks and more are planned.

According to Power, a search in the Paddy's Pond area in early July, did turn up "one item of particular interest," butit is not yet known what that item was.

With files from Meghan McCabe