Citing an “overwhelming public interest” and “a reasonable prospect of conviction,” the senior Crown attorney for Waterloo Region says he wants to see a second murder trial for Michael Ball.
“The Crown will be moving to retry Mr. Ball for the murder of Erin Howlett,” Mark Poland told CTV News in an email Monday.
The remains of the 28-year-old Howlett were found in July 2013, in a duffel bag in the Grand River.
Ball was arrested several months later, then charged with first-degree murder and committing an indignity to a body.
His trial began last November, and concluded last week with jurors convicting him of committing an indignity to a body.
However, the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on the murder accusation, and a mistrial was declared on that count.
Outside the courthouse, Ball called the verdict a “wrongful conviction.”
His lawyer echoed that comment, using the same language -- which drew a rebuke Monday from the Crown attorney, who called the remarks "regrettable."
"This case was carefully tried before an experienced trial judge, and by a jury that clearly appeared to take their responsibilities seriously," Poland said.
"The verdict of this jury is entitled to be afforded respect by all of the trial participants."
Testimony at the trial revealed that Ball and Howlett had been dating, but broke it off several weeks before her disappearance.
Court heard that Ball was angry at Howlett, but continued to supply her with drugs.
Ball has maintained that he did not kill Howlett or dispose of her body.
The case returns to court Friday, with Ball to be sentenced on the charge he was convicted of.
Until then, he remains free on bail, as he has since shortly before the trial began.
