Starr murder sentencing delayed

The sentencing of Rober Starr, convicted of a gang-related murder, has been delayed until next month under unusual circumstances.

Starr was arrested and charged with the execution-style murder of two people in 1994: thirty-three year old Bernard Cook, one of the leaders of the Manitoba Warriors street gang, and his 31-year old girlfriend, Darlene Weselowski.

In 1995, Starr was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, but the Supreme Court of Canada ordered a new trial in the fall of 2000.

Starr was found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter in the spring of 2001, but only in connection with Cook's death.

During a brief court appearance today, Queen's Bench Justice Brenda Keyser informed the Crown and defence lawyers that she had received an "unsolicited communication" in early August.

Keyser would not say where the communication came from or what it was, but she did say she was not able to proceed with Starr's sentencing.

Outside court, defence lawyer Greg Brodsky refused to divulge the details of the communication. He called the incident unusual and inappropriate.

Brodsky says that after seven years in custody, Starr has already served more than the usual sentence for manslaughter. The Crown is seeking a life sentence.

Starr's sentencing has been postponed until September 7.