Judge staying on in St. John's child sex doll trial
Defence had asked for judge be removed from process
The trial of a St. John's man accused of bringing a child sex doll to Newfoundland and Labrador is set to resume, after the judge presiding in the case ruled he has no conflict of interest in the matter.
The defence in the case had previously applied to the court to have Judge Mark Pike recused from the trial, as Pike had granted warrants into the case three years ago.
In a written decision released Tuesday, Pike rejected that application, stating "simple contact between the authorizing justice and the applicant for the warrants is insufficient to meet the legal test for recusal."
Kenneth Harrisson faces charges relating to smuggling a child sex doll, using the mail system for indecent purpose, and possession of child porn.
There's no date yet set for him to return to provincial court in St. John's.