Hernandez case in limbo as justice reviews conflict of interest

The man charged in a fatal hit and run just before Christmas will have to wait through the weekend to see if his bail hearing will proceed. 

The delay follows the Crown’s request to have the lawyer representing 25-year-old Christian Hernandez thrown off the case.   

Hernandez  is charged with impaired driving and failure to remain at the scene of an accident in connection with the death of 45-year-old Richard Carmichael.  Carmichael was hit by a vehicle and killed on the night of Dec. 19, 2010.  

While defence lawyer Chris Watkins is pushing to have his client released on bail, the Crown says Watkins should be dismissed from the case because of conflict of interest.   

In submissions presented in court Thursday, the Crown argued Watkins should be disqualified as he represented the victim in the case about a decade ago. 

Watkins says he doesn't recall representing Carmichael.  

Justice Joyce Pelletier is expected to hand down a ruling on the issue Monday morning.