The Supreme Court trial for a Japanese exchange student whose dead infant was found in a Saanich home will begin this summer.
The 20-year-old woman faces one count each of disposing of the body with the intent to conceal its delivery, failing to provide reasonable assistance during delivery and indignity to human remains. Her trial, elected to go before a judge and jury, will begin June 20.
On Sept. 27, 2010, Saanich police were called to a home in the 3800-block of Saanich Rd. where the body of an infant was discovered.
Its age was not known, but it is believed the child was mere days old. Police said there were no physical signs of trauma on the baby’s body.
At the time Sgt. Dean Jantzen said the baby was found inside a plastic bag inside the home, but offered no further comment on the circumstances surrounding the tragic discovery.
An autopsy and toxicology examination were conducted, but the exact cause of death was not released.
On Feb. 9, Christopher Mackie, on behalf of defence lawyer Mayland McKimm, said the young woman elected to have her matter heard by a jury because “it’s something a jury ought to hear. It’s the story of a girl who is not from this country and is here under extreme circumstances when a very sad event befalls here.”