Hamilton murder trial delayed after accused fired lawyer

A Hamilton murder trial expected to begin this week has been delayed after the accused fired his lawyer.

Jury selection had been scheduled for Monday in the first-degree murder trial of Myles Blackburn.

He is accused of killing 40-year-old Christopher La Rose, from Brampton, who died after being stabbed at a Queenston Road motel on July 18, 2021.

In court Monday, Superior Court Justice Paul Sweeny agreed to adjourn the matter after hearing that Blackburn had dismissed his lawyer and is in the process of finding new counsel.

The Spectator has previously reported that La Rose was stabbed during an altercation in a room at the Red Rose Motel on Queenston, west of Nash Road. He managed to walk a couple hundred metres east, where he collapsed on the sidewalk around 9:46 a.m.

Hamilton police have said La Rose went to the motel to visit someone that morning and while he was there Blackburn allegedly arrived and there was an altercation.

Blackburn was arrested several days later after being stopped by police in a taxi in central Hamilton. Police alleged he was in possession of a loaded handgun at the time. He faces firearm charges that have also been adjourned.

The case is adjourned to the next assignment court on May 19. New trial dates have not yet been set.

Nicole O'Reilly is a crime and justice reporter at The Spectator. noreilly@thespec.com