Accused in Cape Breton hit-and-run death misses court appearance due to lawyer error

Family members of Talia Forrestsobbed outside of acourtroom in Sydney, N.S., on Tuesday after the man accused in thehit-and-run that led to her death failed to appear due to a misunderstanding by his lawyer.

The 10-year-old Mi'kmaw girl was riding her bike on Black Rock Road in Big Bras d'Or, N.S., in July 2019when she was struck by an SUV.

Colin Hugh Tweedie, a resident of Victoria County, faces four charges in connection with the girl's death, including impaired driving causing death and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

Tweedie was due in court on Tuesday morning for an arraignment hearing.

ButCrown attorney John MacDonald informed the family he hadbeen in contact with Tweedie's lawyer, Tony Mosvik, and there hadbeen a mistake.

"Today was a day for pre-trial motions to occur. Defence council is waiving the need for those pre-trial motions, and they misunderstood that it was still necessary for their client to attend when no trial proceedings were going to start," said MacDonald.

Talia's cousin Taylor Williams said the family was upset after learningthe court appearance would not go ahead as scheduled.

"It's almost been three years now ... and then saying, 'Oh he's not here today. You might have to come back tomorrow.' It's not fair," saidWilliams.

"I was up at 4 a.m. this morning, just anticipating it.... I can only imagine what my cousins and my aunt are going through."

Tweediewas previously released from custody on conditions and has beenworking in Halifax. He is scheduled to appear in court in person or by video on Wednesday morning.

The trial is set to run from Feb. 1to Feb. 14.