Man accused of urging inmate to kill himself

4-7-2009 Canada:

An Ontario man accused of counselling someone to commit suicide opted Wednesday to let a jury decide his fate.

Reudi Leslie Schori, 41, of no fixed address faces a March 19 charge of counselling a man to kill himself.

He's also charged with performing an indecent act Jan. 15 on the bus that brought him from Ontario to Fredericton and breaching an Ontario undertaking to reside at a Pembroke, Ont., apartment between Jan. 15 and March 18.

The charge of counselling suicide stems from an allegation that Schori tried to convince a fellow prisoner in the cells at the city police station to kill himself.

It appeared Wednesday that Crown prosecutor William Corby and duty counsel Randy Maillet hammered out an agreement outside the courtroom that Schori would plead guilty and a joint recommendation on sentencing would be presented to the court.

Schori reportedly approved the agreement, so parties were taken aback when Schori opted to be tried by a Court of Queen's Bench judge and jury on the suicide and undertaking violation charges.

He also pleaded not guilty to the indecent act count.

(Posted by eAdvocate)

His provincial court trial on that charge was scheduled for April 15.

When it was suggested that preliminary hearings for the other two charges be held the same day, Schori objected.

He said he needed to get disclosure from the Crown on those charges and needed more time to prepare for the preliminary hearings.

Judge Mary Jane Richards reminded Schori that he's been remanded and any delay would lead to more time behind bars waiting for trial.

Schori insisted, and the hearings were scheduled for May 22.

He also asked that two different judges hear the preliminary hearings since the charges aren't connected.

Richards said that wasn't necessary.

Schori apparently plans to represent himself at trial.

"Now, do I have to wear that little funny robe?" he asked the judge, referring to the black gowns that lawyers wear in court.

"Funny guy," Richards answered. ..News Source.. by DON MACPHERSON