TIMMINS - A man accused of murder and attempted murder is now talking to a lawyer after reconsidering representing himself.
Lucas MacDonald appeared virtually from Monteith Correctional Complex today (Jan. 3) at roughly 10:30 a.m. While he had previously indicated that he wanted to represent himself, he is now talking to defence lawyer Ben Dawkins from Maisonneuve Dawkins Lawyers in Timmins.
Dawkins asked to delay the proceedings to solidify his status as MacDonald’s lawyer.
MacDonald, who is 43, was the subject of a weeks-long manhunt last year. He is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Marcel Thoma and attempted murder with a firearm in the shooting of an OPP officer during his arrest.
Previously, Justice Michel Robert LaBelle had indicated that an amicus, or a friend of the court, would be needed should MacDonald represent himself. If MacDonald retains a lawyer, that will no longer be necessary.
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Thoma was reported missing on May 18, 2024, and his body was found in the woods in Egan Township, southwest of Matheson, on May 23.
A weeks-long manhunt stretching from Matheson to Timmins's far east end led police to MacDonald. During his arrest on June 12, 2024, he allegedly shot at OPP officers on Night Hawk Lake. One officer was shot in the exchange of gunfire.
The Ontario Special Investigations Unit (SUI) report cleared officers of any wrongdoing in the incident.
MacDonald will next appear in court on Jan. 22 for the court to confirm he has retained counsel and to set a date for a preliminary hearing.
None of the charges have been tested in court and the accused is considered innocent unless proven guilty.
