Psychiatric review continues for accused rapist
Last Updated: Monday, November 9, 2009 | 1:17 PM AT
CBC News
The victim, whose throat was slashed in the 2007 attack, hopes the 'bad dream' ends soon. (CBC)There's been another frustrating court delay for the woman whose throat was slashed in a brutal sexual assault in Dartmouth two years ago.
The woman, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, sat silently in Dartmouth provincial court Monday as her alleged attacker's trial was put off another month.
"I'm tired," she told reporters. "I thought this bad dream would be over today, but I guess not."
Michael Derrick Robicheau is accused of raping and trying to kill the woman on Aug. 21, 2007, while she was working overnight at an Ultramar gas station.
He is charged with attempted murder, sexual assault, unlawful confinement, robbery and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Robicheau has spent several months at the East Coast Forensic Hospital in Dartmouth.
Last month, he was found fit to stand trial, but the court agreed to a defence request to send him back to the hospital so experts could determine whether he was criminally responsible at the time of the attack.
On Monday, the judge agreed to postpone the case until December after a psychiatrist requested more time to review the matter.
Prosecutor Eric Taylor says he understands the victim's frustration with the delay.
"This case has been going on for over two years now, and it's a classic case of a victim feeling she has lost control of the process," said Taylor. "She wants to play her role and talk to those people who need to hear her about what happened, and she hasn't had a chance to play that role yet
The woman said she'll be back in court for Robicheau's next scheduled court appearance on Dec. 8.
She said she wants to "get on with my life … put this behind me."
