The long-awaited trial of the man accused of killing Vic Fraser in Surrey 13 years ago has been temporarily adjourned, reportedly due to an outbreak of the H1N1 flu virus at North Fraser Pretrial Centre.
Gary Johnston is charged with second-degree murder in Fraser's death. He pleaded not guilty Monday and his trial was scheduled for five weeks in New Westminster Supreme Court.
According to Vic's sister Jeanie, Johnston is being held at North Fraser Pretrial. When he did not show up for court on Wednesday, she said, it was revealed it was because he was under quarantine.
"We can confirm that there is an outbreak," a spokesperson for the B.C. Ministry of Solicitor-General told CTV News.
Four patients with confirmed H1N1 cases have been confined to one living unit at the North Fraser Pretrial Centre, while three inmates with symptoms are being kept in their cells and treated by medical staff, according to CTV.
The H1N1 virus subtype is a category including a number of flu viruses, including the swine flu virus that prompted widespread worry of a pandemic in 2009.
Officials say the prison has enacted its influenza protocols, which include screening new inmates, treatment of other inmates with Tamiflu and giving staff protective equipment.
On the opening day of Johnston's trial, Crown prosecutors alleged Vic Fraser was stabbed multiple times when he interrupted Johnston robbing Jeanie Fraser's home on March 10, 1998. Johnston once lived next door to Jeanie, who had played cards with him and even had him over for Christmas baking just months earlier.
The Crown contends Johnston admitted he murdered Vic Fraser not only to his brother, but to a friend and to an undercover police officer posing as a crime boss.
The trial is scheduled to continue Monday, when the court will receive an update on the flu situation at North Fraser Pretrial.
- with files from CTV News
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