Mistrial declared in murder trial of Manitoba man accused of killing neighbour

A judge has declared amistrial in the case of a Manitoba man accused of killing a neighbour caught stealing from him.

Eric Wildman, 36, is charged with first-degree murder in the July 2021 homicide of40-year-old Clifford Joseph, who lived on aneighbouring propertynear Stead, Man., about 75 kilometres north of Winnipeg.

Wildman pleaded not guilty.

On June 12, the trial was adjourned after Wildman's defence lawyer, Martin Glazer, experienced a medical issue, a spokesperson from Manitoba Courts said in an email Monday.

Jurors returned to court on Mondaybut were told the trial couldn't proceed at this time because Glazer isn't able to return to the trial.

The spokesperson said Wildmanexercised his rightnot to continue in the trial without his lawyer.

Manitoba Court ofKing's Bench Justice Rick Saullwill preside over the next trial, but a date for that hasn't yet been set.