St. John’s – Grieving family and friends reacted with frustration and outrage Wednesday as a judge postponed a case of hit-and-run in which a 15-year old boy was killed.

 

Robert Weston Parsons, 54, is accused of driving the car that struck Matthew Rodney Churchill on the Bauline Line in late March. Parsons was expected to enter a plea.  Instead, his lawyer Robert Simmonds wanted the case set over until September.

 

That sparked loud sighs and angry remarks from the packed courtroom, prompting a warning from Judge David Orr: “ I realize this is very difficult for everyone, but I’ll have to ask that people not speak out in court”.

 

Simmonds said he couldn’t proceed because he had yet to receive or review all the evidence against his client.  The case was postponed until Sept. 8.

 

Parsons is formally charged with failing to stop at the scene of an accident where someone has been injured or killed.

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