One of Magnotta’s lawyers quits, Jun Lin’s father absent from hearing

Luka Rocco Magnotta is shown in an artist's sketch in a Montreal court on Wednesday, March 13, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mike McLaughlin

MONTREAL—Luka Rocco Magnotta was back in court Wednesday morning for his preliminary hearing but the father of alleged murder victim Jun Lin did not return after leaving the courtroom in tears a day earlier.

Magnotta’s legal team will also continue one lawyer short after an attorney stopped down after revealing a possible conflict of interest. Raphael Feldstein made the decision about an issue was raised by the Crown.

The details of the alleged conflict, as with other evidence being heard during the preliminary hearing, are covered by a publication ban.

Daran Lin was trembling and weeping as he departed Tuesday but the family’s lawyer said that Lin, who came from China for the proceedings, is likely to return later this week.

Magnotta was wearing large black glasses and a black shirt and appeared to be actively listening to the proceedings Wednesday morning.

Feldstein withdrew voluntarily in the afternoon before both sides could debate the matter further.

Magnotta still has two other lawyers defending him: Toronto-based Luc Leclair and Montreal criminal attorney Pierre Panaccio.

The preliminary hearing heard from three more police witnesses during a third day of hearings at the Montreal courthouse.

The three-week hearing will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to send Magnotta to trial.

A publication ban on evidence heard at this stage is automatic when requested by the defence. It remains in effect until either the case against Magnotta is dropped or until the end of an eventual trial.

The hearing continues on Thursday.

--with files from The Canadian Press.