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Richard Henry Bain headed to trial in September

Richard Henry Bain trial could face further delays

Richard Henry Bain, the man accused of first-degree murder in the deadly election night shooting at a Parti Québécois victory party in Montreal in 2012, is finally headed to trial.

The trial has been set for Sept. 8, 2015 and is expected to last between six and eight weeks.

The proceedings have delayed several times due to translation problems, delays in obtaining a psychiatric report, and difficulty finding Bain a lawyer.

The hearing Tuesday focused on ironing out a legal aid compensation for Bain's latest lawyer, Alan Guttman.

Confusion over Bain's finances

There's confusion over whether or not Bain has sold some properties for $45,000 to help pay Guttman's fee.

A deal is being negotiated where proceeds from the sale of those properties would cover part of Guttman's fee, with the attorney-general of Quebec picking up the rest.

"There were two properties that were at issue. Now he doesn't have those two properties anymore. I don't know if it was a sale or a debt that somebody incurred — I just don't know," said Guttman, adding that Bain used another lawyer to handle those transactions.

A one-day hearing has been set for April 22 before Judge Cournoyer to settle the issue. Bain and other witnesses are expected to testify.

'I can't do it for nothing'

Guttman said he won't be able to continue to represent Bain if he's not properly compensated.

"We're talking [about] a two month trial. I'd like to do this trial, but I can't do it for nothing," said Guttman.

Cournoyer said the trial will go ahead in September with or without Guttman.

Cournoyer is committed to another five-month trial beginning in November, and he doesn't want to see Bain's trial pushed to 2016.

Complaint over handcuffs

Tuesday's hearing was delayed briefly after Bain refused to enter the courtroom wearing handcuffs.

Bain eventually did so, but asked Cournoyer if the cuffs could be removed so he could take notes.

Cournoyer asked the bailiffs to remove the cuffs and the hearing proceeded.

Psychiatric report 'heart of case'

The court has still not received a psychiatric evaluation of Bain that was requested in December.

It's expected to be ready in time for the April hearing.

Guttman said once he has the psychiatric report, he should be able to proceed quickly.

"It's the heart of the whole case. it's not a super complicated case. I have the whole summer to go through everything," said Guttman.

Judge Cournoyer told the court the psychiatric report will be made available to him and the lawyers, but it will not be filed as evidence into court and therefore not be made public, at least until the trial begins.