Accused Man Fires Lawyer Mid-Trial in Edmonton Chinatown Double Homicide Case

On Day 6 of the second-degree murder trial in the deaths of two men killed in Edmonton’s Chinatown area in May 2022, the proceedings were dramatically interrupted when the accused, Justin Bone, stood in court and fired his defence lawyer. Bone made the declaration to the judge during Monday’s session, saying he was not satisfied with the lawyer’s cross-examination performance and wanted him removed from the case.

The trial relates to the deaths of Ban Phuc Hoang and Hung Trang, who were both killed during separate attacks in Edmonton’s Chinatown neighbourhood — Hoang at Universal Electronics and Trang at Albert’s Autobody Shop — on May 18, 2022. The pair’s deaths prompted a high-profile police investigation and, ultimately, charges against Bone. The trial began last week.

During Monday’s proceedings, Bone addressed the court while seated next to his lawyer, David Wolsey, and stated his desire to remove him due to dissatisfaction with his advocacy, particularly during cross-examination. Following the declaration, Bone was taken into the prisoner’s box and the court was adjourned for several hours, during which Bone was held in a holding cell.

The move marks at least the second time Bone has sought to dismiss his defence counsel during the course of this trial, a tactic that has caught the court’s attention and added an unusual twist to the proceedings. Judges generally allow defendants to express dissatisfaction with counsel, but firing a lawyer mid-trial — especially more than once — is relatively uncommon and can cause delays as the court determines how to proceed.

No further details have yet been released about who might represent Bone next or how the judge will manage the trial timeline moving forward. Typically, such a development requires careful judicial consideration to ensure the accused’s right to a fair trial is respected while also keeping the legal process on track. Proceedings are expected to resume once the matter of legal representation is resolved.