The man accused of killing Erin Howlett appeared Monday in a Kitchener court as his preliminary hearing began.
Michael Ball is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Howlett, 28, whose body was found in the Grand River in July 2013.
He wasn’t arrested until five months after Howlett’s body was found, although he was a person of interest to police for much of that period.
Police have said the two were acquaintances.
Ball also faces one count of committing an indignity to a dead body, and a number of charges relating to drugs and weapons unrelated to Howlett.
The cause of Howlett’s death has never been made public.
Details of what is discussed at the preliminary hearing, which is held for a judge to determine if there is enough evidence for a trial, are covered by a publication ban.
