Stanley, 28, was arrested 14 months ago. The Supreme Court ruled, in 2016, that court cases must be heard within 18 months in provincial court and 30 months in superior court. If they aren’t, the case could be thrown out of court. The COVID-19 pandemic has created delays and a backlog in Saskatchewan’s court system. During the first wave of COVID-19, court cases for non-custody accused and docket proceedings at circuit court locations were adjourned from March 23 to June 1. Bail hearings and sentencing for in-custody accused continued by telephone and video-conferencing at the 13 permanent court locations that remained open. Earlier this week, the province said they were suspending most of its court operations starting next week due to the COVID-19 pandemic. From Dec. 14 to Jan. 15, 2021, most trials, preliminary inquiries and in-person hearings will be cancelled. The matters scheduled will be spoken to by telephone. The province’s Court of Queen’s Bench shelved all ju