Judge issues warrants for no show witnesses at assault trial of former RCMP officer Jeffrey Gillis

A P.E.I. judge has issued warrants for two witnesses who failed to show up at the assault trial of former RCMP officer Jeffrey RaeGillis.

Gillis, 43,is charged in connection with twoincidents last February in Charlottetown.

Both alleged assaults took place while he was off-duty.

• RCMP Const. Jeffrey Rae Gillis charged with assault

Gillisretired from the force in February.

His trial was supposed to take place Tuesday buttwo key witnesses failed to appear.

Court officers tried to locate the witnesses so the trial could happen Wednesday, but wereunsuccessful.

Provincial court judge Nancy Orr issued warrants for their arrest.

The witnesses' names can't be published due to a court order.

In a separate case,Gillisalso faces 12 weapons-related charges. That trial is scheduled for January.

Gillis has pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him.

• Not guilty pleas entered for formerRCMPofficer JeffreyGillis
• Former RCMP officer's weapons trial slated for January

Gillis' lawyer suggested the trial on the assault charges be rescheduled for April.

Orr said that was too far off since the witnesses might be held in custody on the arrest warrants.

The trial is now set for Nov. 15.

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