BATHURST, N.B. -- The case of two police officers charged in the shooting death of a New Brunswick businessman has been delayed while one of them hires a lawyer.

Michel Vienneau, 51, of Tracadie-Sheila was shot in his vehicle near the Bathurst train station last January during what police said was a drug investigation.

Constables Patrick Bulger, 38, and Mathieu Boudreau, 26 of the Bathurst City Police force were both charged in November with manslaughter, assault with a weapon and unlawfully pointing a firearm.

Both men appeared in provincial court Monday, but Boudreau's defence lawyer, T.J. Burke, asked for more time to review the case before entering pleas. He also said Bulger needed more time to secure a lawyer, who would also need time to review the file.

The RCMP in Nova Scotia were asked to investigate the incident and concluded the investigation in July before handing it over to New Brunswick's Public Prosecution Service.

The RCMP said in November its investigation revealed that Vienneau, who owned an electronics store, was not involved in criminal activity.

Bathurst City Police Chief Eugene Poitras said the two officers have been suspended until the court process is concluded.

Conflicting statements about what occurred have emerged in a lawsuit filed by Vienneau's common-law partner, who was with him in the vehicle.

Annick Basque alleged in her July 13 statement of claim that Vienneau's death was caused by police negligence and that neither she nor Vienneau were involved in crime.

In a statement of defence, the City of Bathurst says officers were investigating whether the couple were in possession of illegal drugs after returning from a trip to Quebec.

The statement also says the officers clearly identified themselves to Vienneau and had tried to stop his vehicle before it accelerated.

It says one police officer fired at the car as it moved towards another officer who was pinned against a snow bank.

None of the lawsuit's allegations or statements of defence have been proven in court.

Both of the accused avoided reporters by using different exits from the courthouse Monday, and members of the Vienneau family said they didn't wish to speak.

Burke offered no comment as he left the courthouse Monday.

The officers are scheduled to return to court Feb. 3 for election and plea.