Two Surrey police officers accused of assaulting a 73-year-old man at Surrey Memorial Hospital in 2010 will learn on March 6 if the case against them will be stayed or if it will go to trial on April 2nd.

Surrey RCMP Const. Mitchell Spears and Transit Police Const. Ken Jansen pleaded not guilty Monday to assaulting Robert Keith Booker, now 77, on April 22, 2010. The Crown alleges Booker was assaulted and tasered during an unprovoked attack.

The officers' lawyers argued earlier this week for a judicial stay of proceedings, claiming their clients' Charter rights to a timely trial have been infringed on by 29 months of court delay.

Judge Ronald Lamperson has reserved his decision on the stay application to March 6.

tzytaruk@thenownewspaper.com