WOODSTOCK, Ont. - The 28-year-old man charged with kidnapping and murder in the disappearance of Tori Stafford of Woodstock, Ont., has changed lawyers.
Michael Rafferty appeared in a Woodstock court via a video link from a London, Ont., detention centre today and had his case put over until August 21.
Hal Mattson is out as Rafferty's counsel and replaced by Scott Reid of the Toronto-based law firm Derstine-Penman.
Reid would not say why Rafferty made the change, adding he intends to "vigorously defend" Rafferty and challenge the allegations.
Asked if that meant Rafferty would plead not guilty, Reid initially refused comment, but then added, that's a "safe assumption."
Both Rafferty and Terri-Lynne McClintic are charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping. Their trials are not expected to begin until next year.
Tori, who would have turned nine on Wednesday, was last seen leaving her school on April 8 with a dark-haired young woman.
Police have not yet found any trace of Tori's body and continue searching the Guelph and Fergus areas for her remains.
