((HT: TSN/Regina Leader-Post))
The man who helped lead the Saskatchewan Riders to the Grey Cup Championship in 2007 is heading to court to face a trial on a sexual assault charge.
Eric Tillman was not at the provincial courthouse in Regina on Friday when two weeks were set aside for the trial starting January 4.
"I'm not sure that it will take that long. It is a summary matter, assuming it does go ahead, it might take that long," Tillman's lawyer, Aaron Fox, told reporters outside the courthouse.
A summary matter is considered to be less serious than an indictable offence. A summary conviction for sexual assault carries a maximum sentence of 18 months in jail, while an indictable sexual assault conviction carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.
Fox wouldn't comment on how complex the trial might be. He suggested that it is possible that the case might not proceed to trial.
"Anybody that's been on the court beat knows that because the matter gets set down for trial things can change and that certainly always is a possibility and that is a possibility here too," he said.
Friday's court appearance came one day after a case management meeting was held with lawyers for both sides and a judge. Fox called it an "off the record" meeting and declined to say what was discussed.
Tillman, 51, was arrested January 27. The charge followed a complaint by a 16-year-old girl who alleges he sexually assaulted her last summer. When news of the allegations broke February 3, the married father of two suggested there was more to the story and said he would rely on the justice system to air the facts.
Fox said Tillman is disappointed the case is going to trial.
"It's not a good time for him. There's no question about that," he said.
Tillman has been on paid administrative leave from the Canadian Football League club since the charge was laid.
Roughriders president Jim Hopson said Friday that the situation hasn't changed.
"He remains on administrative leave," said Hopson.
"We anticipated that this could drag on for the whole year so it's not a total surprise. We wish of course that there was a conclusion. There isn't, but we'll continue as we are and we're quite comfortable in doing that."
Hopson said Riders head coach Ken Miller will continue running football operations and Tillman will act as a consultant behind the scenes. Tillman isn't on the playing field.
Hopson also said he doesn't think the situation is a hurting the Riders.
"One of the things we've seen from our fan base is a tremendous level of understanding and sort of acceptance that this is a personal issue, this not a football issue," Hopson said while standing at the sidelines of the team's training camp at Mosaic Stadium.
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