Toronto — The man accused of first-degree murder in the slaying of 10-year-old Holly Jones will not enter a plea until the full case against him is presented to his lawyers, likely sometime next year.
"After we have the disclosure, Mr. Briere will be making up his mind and instructing us as to how this matter will go forth," lawyer Greg Leslie said Friday after Michael Briere made a brief court appearance via video.
The case was put over until Dec. 19 to give counsel time to review the evidence being assembled by the Crown and police.
"In the end there'll be a mountain of disclosure and we're getting it in dribs and drabs," said Mr. Leslie, who added "the Crown and the police are doing an excellent job in providing disclosure in a timely fashion."
Mr. Leslie said he doesn't anticipate a pre-trial until next May or June, and stressed that Mr. Briere is under no obligation to enter a plea until the case is brought to trial.
"If there is a plea earlier, that would be something that would be discussed with the Crown's office," he said outside the court.
Holly was reported missing in May when she failed to return home after walking to a friend's house. Her dismembered remains were found in Lake Ontario the next day, and three weeks later police charged Mr. Briere, who lived in Holly's neighbourhood.
Mr. Briere, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit with his hair slicked back and sporting a goatee, spoke little during Friday's video appearance, saying only "yeah" and "I understand" to the judge's directions.
Mr. Leslie said his client has received no visitors in jail, apart from legal counsel, and occupies his time reading newspapers and books.
Earlier in the day, the Children's Wish Foundation announced that Holly's parents will end an online sale of toys aimed at raising money for charity.
The foundation said two more dolls that belonged to the youngster would be auctioned off before the online event ends Monday.
The Holly's Dollys event on eBay's auction website has raised more than $10,000 for the foundation, which grants the wishes of kids with life-threatening illnesses.
Holly's parents, Maria Jones and George Stonehouse, said the event was conceived to "raise funds for other children and bring happiness to many."
After Holly's death, Ms. Jones and Mr. Stonehouse received hundreds of stuffed animals — many laid on the tiny front yard of the family home — from friends and other well-wishers.
Since September, Holly's parents have sold more than 300 stuffed animals to help raise money in memory of their daughter, the foundation says.
Each stuffed animal on eBay had a tag attached to it with the message her parents gave to her every day: "I love you to each and every star, to the moon, around the sun, and back again."
