The no-show of two witnesses in the trial of Brandon Scott Harrison, who is accused of beating a small dog in April of 2013, has once again delayed the case.
It is now scheduled to continue on Thursday, Aug. 14.
Crown counsel Peter Benning told Judge Ted Gouge that witnesses Rob and Shelby Harding were notified July 15 through a message left with Rob's spouse of their need to appear Monday morning for the trial.
They were not there. The case had been continued from June 9, when Shelby Harding had been scheduled to testify, but was not present.
Benning said he was prepared to close the Crown's case immediately on the strength of witness testimony from Chris and Leigh Davies heard June 9. They told the court that on April 21, 2013 on Cowichan Lake Road they saw Harrison violently attack a small dog they later dubbed "Terry".
"I don't think that I need those witnesses in my case," said Benning in reference to the Hardings.
Defence counsel Seth Cooper, however, said the two are vital to his case.
"The defence does require them," he told the court Monday.