Tina Fontaine's alleged killer hires Brandon-based lawyer

The man accused of killing TinaFontainehas a new legal team.

Legal Aid approved RaymondCormier'srequest to hire AndrewSynyshyn. The Brandon-based lawyer was called to the bar in 2011 and because of his junior status, Legal Aid required an experienced lawyer to come on board and superviseCormier'sdefence.

Former Crown Attorney TonyKavanaghconfirmed he will fill the role of senior counsel onCormier'steam.

Cormierhad been without legal representation for more than a month after parting ways with several lawyers, some of whom were never even officially on the books. He had been pushing Legal Aid to allow him to hireSynyshynsince October.

"The struggle was finding someone to assist or supervise and I look forward to working with Mr. Kavanagh," Synyshyn said.

"I met with Mr.Cormieron Saturday and told him the good news and he's very happy and we're looking forward to actually getting things going,"Synyshynsaid.

Cormieris facing second-degree murder charges in connection to TinaFontaine'sdeath. The Winnipeg teen was pulled from the Red River in August 2014 Police say she was vulnerable and exploited. Cormierdoes not deny knowing the teen, but maintains his innocence.

Cormieralso alleged police fabricated evidence against him in an elaborate Mr Big Sting. He filed a Law Enforcement Review Agency complaint about the matter but it was thrown out. Cormierappealed that decision and anotherLERAdate has been set for January.

• Tina Fontaine's alleged killer says police fabricated evidence
• Ray Cormier was spotted burning trash outside apartment connected to Tina Fontaine's death
• 'Prison is what caused all the problems,' says Raymond Cormier, accused in Tina Fontaine homicide
• Raymond Cormier appears in court, still without a lawyer

A preliminary hearing forCormier'smurder charges is scheduled for next May in Winnipeg.

Synyshynjust leftMeighen,HaddadLLP where he specialized in cases involving child protection to start his own firm, AJS Law.