Nova Scotia human trafficking trial delayed by rare procedure

A rarelyused legal process has forced a delay in a human trafficking trial in Nova Scotia Supreme Court.

Doreze Beals, 19, is charged with human trafficking, gang sexual assault, kidnapping and other offences.

A girl who was 15 at the time, alleges Beals and another man held her for two days in April 2014 at Beals' North Preston home. The girl told police the two men assaulted her and threatened to sell her into prostitution in Ontario.

Eight days had been set aside for the trial, which opened Monday. At that time, Beals' co-accused, Andre Gray, pleaded guilty to two charges assault and confinement. He's to be sentenced next month.

The trial for Bealswas supposed to resume Tuesday morning. Instead, Justice Glen McDougall suggested the parties try a resolution conference with the help of another judge.

The courtroom was then cleared andlawyers began discussions with Justice Michael Wood.

The Crown had planned on calling the 16-year-old complainant as their first witness. Crown prosecutor Perry Borden told court the girl is so anxious about the proceeding that she will only testify behind a screen that prevents her from seeing others in the courtroom.

The girl will not testify until the resolution process is exhausted. Talks were continuing late into the afternoon Tuesday, with the trial tentatively scheduled to resume Wednesday morning.