The 36 charges laid against Michael Ball last week represent the 22-year-old’s first brush with the law, his lawyer says.
Ball is charged with first-degree murder and indignity to a dead body in connection with the death of Erin Howlett, along with 34 unrelated weapons and drugs charges.
“He has no past trouble with the law – which, frankly, in cases such as this, is a bit of an unusual circumstance,” Ball’s lawyer, Brennan Smart, tells CTV News.
Ball was arrested last week following a five-month-long police investigation into the death of Howlett, whose body was found in the Grand River in July by teen swimmers.
The Kitchener resident made a five-minute court appearance Tuesday morning, during which he appeared calm as procedural matters were dealt with.
“Obviously the police have conducted an investigation and they’ve come to a conclusion that he’s responsible for some misconduct, but the case doesn’t start until we get to see the fruits of the investigation and determine what, if anything, it demonstrates,” says Smart.
Due to the nature of the charges against Ball, a bail hearing will only be held if he applies for one.
