BOYLE – The man accused of second-degree murder, arson and indignity to remains in relation to the death of Boyle woman Melissa Lyne in 2019 is once again looking for a lawyer to represent him as a preliminary hearing scheduled for next month draws closer.
Appearing via CCTV from Edmonton Remand Centre Oct. 26 in Boyle Provincial Court, Mario Joseph Bernier, 56, of Regina, Sask. told Judge Clifton Purvis he would be hiring a new defender as soon as he can find one after his lawyer, the second since he was arrested on the charges in Regina Sept. 9, 2020, removed himself from the record.
A preliminary hearing slated for the end of September was previously delayed and rescheduled for Dec. 10. Judge Purvis expressed some concern that the preliminary hearing was approaching fast and that it would be preemptory for Bernier to make sure he had a lawyer, or he would be defending himself. Preliminary hearings are conducted in provincial court in the case of indictable offences to determine if the prosecution has sufficient evidence to proceed to trial in Court of Queen’s Bench. Any evidence heard at that time is subject to a publication ban.
Judge Purvis asked that Bernier appear in Fort Saskatchewan Provincial Court Nov. 4 to provide an update on his search for a new lawyer.
Bernier stands charged with the three crimes after a Dec. 18, 2019, trailer fire in Boyle where he lived with Lyne. The fire completely destroyed the home and the woman’s remains were later discovered in the wreckage. Bernier was arrested the following September and has been in custody since.
