2nd Quebecer has murder case stayed due to Jordan ruling

A Montreal man accused of first-degree murder is the second Quebecer to have his murder case stayed because it has taken too long for his case to getto trial.

Ryan Wolfson was set to stand trial for the first-degree murderofPierre-Paul Fortier, who died inOctober 2012.

Wolfson's trial was set to begin in September 2017nearly five years after he was arrested and charged in connection with the deaths of both Fortier and a second man.

Quebec Superior Court Justice Guy Cournoyerruled Friday that there have beentoo many unreasonable delays in Wolfson's judicialproceedings.

• 1st Quebecer to have murder charge stayed due to Jordan ruling to remain in detention

Wolfson'scriminal lawyer, Alexandra Longueville,sought a stay of proceedings based on the Jordan ruling a decision issued by the Supreme Court of Canada last July which imposes new deadlines on the justice system to avoid unreasonable trial delays.

Trials involving less serious offences must now be wrapped up within 18 months, and those involving more serious charges, including murder, facea 30-month deadline.

Wolfsonis already serving a life sentence for the murder of FrdrickMurdock, who was killed in October 2012.

2 separate trials

In November 2012, Wolfson was arrested and faced five charges:two charges of first-degree murder, three charges of attempted murderand a charge related to the possession of unauthorized weapons.

The events related to the chargesoccurred over the span of a monthin the Laurentians.

Murdock'sbody was discovered on Oct. 10, 2012, inSainte-Marguerite-du-Lac-Masson. A few days later, on Oct. 18, the body of Fortierwas found in nearby Saint-Sauveur.

After years of delays in determining whether to treat the charges separately or together,two separate trials were set for Wolfson.

In October 2016, he was convicted of the murder of Murdock and found guilty on two attempted murder charges.