Mother and son facing charges related to Dartmouth death appear in court

A mother and son accused of crimes related to the death of a man in downtown Dartmouth last year both appeared in Nova Scotia Supreme Court Thursday morning.

Michelle Florence Rhyno, 55, who faces a charge of robbery in relation to the death of Bradley Knoll, was granted bail while she awaits trial.

Knoll, 59, was stabbed to death on Portland Street on June 18, 2015.

Michelle Rhyno's 23-year-old son, Michael Raymond Rhyno, is charged with second-degree murder in the death and is looking for a new lawyer.

Lawyer Mark Bailey told the court Thursday there's been a breakdown in his solicitor-client relationship Michael Rhyno and he asked to withdraw as his lawyer. The request was granted.

'I'm having trouble with legal aid'

Rhyno said he's been denied legal aid funding for another lawyer and is currently appealing that decision.

"I'm having trouble with legal aid, " Rhyno told Justice Heather Robertson. "I need to be issued a lawyer."

Rhyno is scheduled to go on trial in February before a judge and jury. The earliest his legal aid appeal could be heard is Jan. 3, putting his trial dates in jeopardy.

"You have to get on top of this, like today," Robertson told Rhyno.

Trial dates for Michelle Rhyno have not been set yet. She's been released to a women's shelter until her next court appearance next month.