Trial for Joel Clow, accused of first degree murder, set to begin in May

The trial for Joel Lawrence Clow, charged with the first degree murder of Traci Lynn Lynch, is scheduled to begin May 15 a date that frustrates Lynch's family.

One concern is how long it's taken for the date of the trial to be set.

The trial will begin nearly two years after Lynch died, delays defence lawyer Joel Pink told the judge are so far entirely due to the actions of the accused man.

The trial was supposed to have taken place this past June, but Clow's defence lawyer at that time, suddenly and unexpectedly stepped aside, because, he said, the accused man was refusing to follow his advice.

Lynch's family is also concerned that the trial falls in the middle of the spring lobster season. Many of them are lobster fishermen, and they're angry they'll have to choose between earning a living and attending the trial.

The trial is currently slated to run for three weeks, however Crown prosecutor Cindy Wedge said depending on the outcome of a pre-trial conference slated for a day in April between the lawyers and the judge, the trial could be significantly shorter.

Clow has pleaded not guilty.

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