The man charged with second-degree murder after a fatal stabbing in Vancouver last April is hoping to get a new lawyer after representing himself for a short period
Vancouver Police Department (VPD) officers responded to reports of screams on April 3 and found Gertrude Cheong, 49, on Rosemont Drive, just north of Fraserview Golf Course.
Cheong died at the scene.
VPD Major Crime Section investigators identified and arrested a suspect, Eric Nathan Lau, on April 4.
On April 15, the BC Prosecution Service approved one count of second-degree murder against 29-year-old Lau.
Lau appeared before B.C. Supreme Court Justice Kathleen Ker on Jan. 8. Crown prosecutor Brendan McCabe told Ker that Lau had entered a guilty plea to manslaughter Oct. 3 and had signed an agreed statement of facts.
He has since, however, fired his lawyer, Ker heard.
Lau told the judge he has had a legal aid request for defence approved. He said his new lawyer is Lawrence Myers.
Lau said he has had a hard time getting a lawyer.
“People didn’t want to help me out,” he told Ker.
Police said the investigation established that the victim and accused knew each other.
He remains in custody.
