ATLANTIC

Halifax beating death case delayed as legal aid lawyers review schedules

THE CANADIAN PRESS Published Thursday, October 30, 2014 10:29AM ADT Last Updated Thursday, October 30, 2014 12:15PM ADT

Andre Noel Denny arrives at Nova Scotia Provincial court to be arraigned on charges steaming from the beating death of gay activist Raymond Taavel Halifax, N.S., on April 18, 2012.(Mike Dembeck / THE CANADIAN PRES)

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HALIFAX -- The case of a man accused in a fatal beating outside a Halifax bar has been adjourned until December.

Andre Noel Denny is charged with second-degree murder in the April 2012 death of 49-year-old Raymond Taavel.

The 35-year-old Membertou man was expected to stand trial in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in September, but it was delayed when he fired his lawyer.

The case returned to court Thursday where it was put over to Dec. 11 to give two legal aid lawyers time to review disclosure and decide if their schedules will allow them to represent Denny.

Earlier this month, Judge John Murphy said he was getting concerned about the delay caused by Denny's inability to find representation.

The Crown says it wants to move the case forward.

Taavel, a well-known gay rights activist in Halifax, died outside Menz bar on Gottingen Street following an altercation.