Murder trial for man accused of killing Holly Hamilton postponed

The second-degree murder trial of the man accused of killing 29-year-old Holly Hamilton has been postponed.

Justin Dumpfrey is accused of killing his ex-girlfriend in January 2018. He has pleaded not guilty.

The trial had been scheduled for four weeks in September, but has been postponed after the defence requested an adjournment.

The delay comes after a mistrial was declared on the first day of trial last January. The mistrial was declared by the judge after the first witness, but the reasons for the mistrial cannot be reported because of a publication ban.

The postponement is devastating for Hamilton's family, said her mom Angie Hamilton, who was informed of the adjournment by the prosecution on Tuesday.

Dumpfrey is the father of Hamilton's daughter, who was four when her mother was killed. Angie has been raising her granddaughter since her daughter's death.

I just want justice served and closure to this nightmare for me, my family and mostly Holly's daughter," she said. My granddaughter shouldn't not have to keep reliving this over and over."

Hamilton's stabbed body was found in the trunk of her car days after she had been reported missing. Family reported her missing after her daughter was abruptly dropped off alone at the home of Hamilton's parents.

Friends and family had been getting ready for a search of the last place where Hamilton was seen - near Dumpfrey's apartment - when news of the discovery of her body was announced.

There was a history of domestic violence in the relationship. Hamilton's death sparked a community call to end domestic violence.

No new trial dates have been set, but the case is expected to postponed until next year.

Nicole O'Reilly is a Hamilton-based reporter covering crime and justice for The Spectator. Reach her via email: noreilly@thespec.com