Lawyers representing six teens charged with sharing intimate images without consent did not enter pleas today in Bridgewater Court on behalf of their clients.
Instead, two sets of dates were reserved in 2017 for potential trials.
They include July 31 to August 4 and September 5 to 8.
Crown Prosecutor Peter Dostal says no pleas have been entered yet as the defence requested more time for discussion.
“From the Crown’s perspective, all we were asking the court for today was to set hearing time in expectation of a not guilty plea and that’s what we got.”
Dostal adds, it’s a complex case and will be an early test of Canada’s new law to combat illegally sharing images, if it goes to trial.
“While it’s not the first, it certainly is one of the biggest ones Nova Scotia has seen thus far and in addition given the number of accused and the different layers of evidence including statements, searches and computer forensic evidence.”
The six teens, whose identities are banned from publication, are also charged with possession and distributing child pornography after more than 20 images were allegedly shared through dropbox.
The case returns to court on November 28.
