The lawyer for a White Rock woman who is facing multiple charges in connection with a dog-theft investigation predicted it will be “months” before any real progress is made on dealing with the charges against his client.
Craig Sicotte, representing Janet Olson and co-accused Michaela Schnittker, told Peace Arch News outside Surrey Provincial Court Tuesday that disclosure of evidence against both of his clients has been slow.
He said he expects that once all of the documentation is in, the case against Olson, who is facing more than three dozen charges, will “look like a murder” in terms of the volume of material.
Charges against Olson – founder of A Better Life Dog Rescue – and Schnittker, along with those against Louise Reid, Christine Carter, Diane Young Hale and Natalia Borojevic, were announced beginning last November.
They range from theft and fraud to break-and-enter in connection with alleged offences across the Lower Mainland dating back to 2006. The allegations have not been proven in court.
Tuesday, Judge Robert Hamilton issued a bench warrant for Borojevic’s arrest, after she failed to appear in court April 16. Borojevic – who is facing a charge of theft in connection with a Feb. 2, 2011, incident in Surrey – had been ordered to appear Monday following her initial arrest and release April 11.
In addition to issuing the warrant, Hamilton set a date for all of the accused but Carter to return to court May 1. Carter is due to appear May 10.
Olson is to be tried next month on charges related to breaching bail conditions.