SASKATOON

Assault victim Marlene Bird in court for alleged attacker's appearance

CTV Saskatoon with files from the Canadian Press Published Wednesday, October 1, 2014 4:58PM CST

Marlene Bird suffered a vicious attack on June 1, 2014 that left her with severe burns to her lower body and facial lacerations.

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Marlene Bird sat in a wheelchair with one of her eyes covered by a bandage as she waited to see the man charged in her attack.

The 47-year-old woman was discovered June 1 in a parking lot in downtown Prince Albert. She was burned and badly wounded. Both her legs were amputated as a result of her injuries and she was only recently released from Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon.

The man accused in her attack, 29-year-old Leslie Black, appeared in Prince Albert court Wednesday via CCTV. His next appearance was scheduled for Oct. 31.

Police arrested Black on June 29 and charged him with attempted murder and aggravated sexual assault in relation to the incident.

There was a publication ban on Bird's name but she asked the court to remove it a few days after charges were laid because she said she does not want to be "faceless, nameless" and "just another statistic."

Bird requested not to speak to reporters Wednesday and not to appear on camera.