Pre-trial for Ottawa police officer charged in Abdi death to continue in July

The judicial pre-trial for an Ottawa police constable charged in the 2016 death of Abdirahman Abdi will continue in July.

Const. Daniel Montsion'spre-trial began May 1 and was adjourned to give the defence more time to review forensic evidence gleaned from the autopsy onAbdi, court heard Wednesday.

Abdi, a 37-year-old man with unspecified mental health issues, lost vital signsduring a confrontationwith Montsion and Const. Dave Weir on July 24, 2016. Abdiwaspronounced dead in hospitalthe following afternoon.

Ontario's police watchdog, the Special Investigations Unit, latercharged Montsionwithmanslaughter, aggravated assault and assault with a weapon.

Montsion'sdefence lawyer is MichaelEdelson, who has represented a number of other Ottawa police officers charged with criminal offences.

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Montsion was assigned to desk duty throughout the SIU's investigation and has beensuspended with pay since the charges were laid.

A CBC News investigation later uncovered thatMontsionhad been wearing a pair of reinforced gloves during the confrontation.

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A judge from out of town has been assigned to the case.The Crown, meanwhile,has assigned Toronto-based prosecutor Philip Perlmutter, who is part ofa unit that handles charges laid by the SIU.

Montsion was not present in court Wednesday.