The trial of three former provincial government aides facing corruption charges connected to the $1 billion sale of B.C. Rail in 2003 will begin May 3 and end by June 30, a B.C. Supreme Court justice decided today.

Justice Anne MacKenzie also agreed to a request by defence lawyers for David Basi, Bob Virk and Aneal Basi to have the case heard by judge and jury, with jury selection on April 28.

David Basi’s lawyer Michael Bolton said outside court that his clients want the change from trial by judge only because: “The high degree of public interest in this case requires a trial by jury.”

New Democrat MLA Leonard Krog said the trial is “long overdue” coming over six years after police raided the B.C. Legislature to obtain evidence.

“British Columbians want to know what happened in the sale of B.C. Rail,” Krog said.

David Basi and Bob Virk appeared in court for the first time in years of pre-trial hearings, while Aneal Basi participated by video link from Montreal, where he works.

The three accused all verbally consented in court to the withdrawal of five different pre-trial applications and issues, the result of an agreement between their lawyers and Special Prosecutor Bill Berardino.

Bill Tieleman writes a column for the Tyee and 24 hours. This story, with further details, first appeared on his blog.