HALIFAX - A Halifax man made a brief court appearance Thursday in the death of a prostitute who disappeared three months ago but whose body hasn't been found.

Steven Elliot Laffin, 36, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Nadine Taylor. The 29-year-old woman was reported missing on July 31.

Taylor's father, Cecil Taylor, and a few friends were in provincial court for the matter, which was put over until Jan. 18.

Laffin looked over at the small group for a few moments after entering the courtroom before turning away.

Two women sobbed and muttered the word "monster" repeatedly during the proceedings, causing sheriffs more than once to ask them to be quiet.

Court heard that Laffin has yet to get a lawyer.

Laffin is already in jail in connection with an alleged attack against a woman in August.

He is charged with kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, uttering threats and forcible confinement in that case. He is scheduled to return to court on those charges in November.

The public prosecution service said Wednesday that Laffin had also been charged with sexual assault with a weapon and uttering threats to cause bodily harm or death in connection with an alleged incident in August 2009 involving a woman.

But Adrian Reid, the service's deputy director, said the case was dismissed on June 8 after the Crown decided not to present any evidence.

Reid said the prosecutor in that case determined there was no "realistic prospect of conviction." In addition, he said the prosecutor's client failed to show up for the trial.

Outside court on Thursday, Cecil Taylor criticized that decision, expressing his opinion that Canada has a "two-tier" justice system.

"If you have a good suit on, you're looked after," Taylor said. "He (Laffin) came into court (in June), he was thrown back on the street again.

"See what happens? You know why he put back on the street? Because the girl he was appearing in court for was considered no good. She was late. Let's not hold it over, let's put him back on the street because we don't need to look after this case, it's holding up too much time in court. Now look what happened.

"See that? Two-tier system, isn't it?"

Police have said they don't believe Taylor's body will be found, but haven't elaborated.

Prosecutor Susan MacKay said it will be up to the Crown to prove there was a death.

"Sometimes we don't have a body and we do proceed with murder charges," she told reporters outside court. "It's not the most usual situation, I'm sure, but it's certainly not unheard of."

Laffin looked down at the ground and said nothing to reporters as he was escorted from the courthouse and into a sheriff's van to be returned to the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility.