Accused killer changes counsel

Photo: RCMP - Matthew Foerster has changed his legal counsel

The latest developments in the Taylor Van Diest murder case will see more delays before the man accused in her death goes to trial.

Van Diest was the Armstrong teenager attacked while she walked along railroad tracks on Halloween night in 2011.

Mathew Foerster was arrested and charged with first-degree murder six months after the killing.

The trial was supposed to start in April, but that no longer seems likely now that Foerster’s legal counsel has stepped down. His new lawyer is still in the process of getting the retainer.

Foerster appeared from jail via a live video feed wearing a red jumpsuit and sporting a recently shaved head and did not speak during the short proceedings, except to say that he understood the latest developments.

The next court date is Jan. 28 in Kelowna, where parties hope to set a trial date.