Former Haven Humane Society CEO Norm Ryan is back in court Friday for arraignment.

After months of waiting, rescheduling and motions hearings, a Jan. 30 preliminary hearing (like a mini-trial, to see how the evidence plays out) resulted in his having to go ahead and stand trial on charges of ripping off Haven Humane animal shelter.

Then his lawyer developed a sudden conflict of interest and removed himself from the case. From a John Kucera email: “Due to a conflict of interest that arose based on my representation of a prosecution witness, I advised the court that I could no longer represent Mr. Ryan. The case was continued for Norm to obtain new counsel.”

A source familiar with the case says that person is likely Stewart Altemus, a member of the Haven Humane board of directors.

Ryan now is represented by Redding attorney Joe Gazzigli.

Doni Greenberg and I have been following this case with interest because of the public money at stake with Haven Humane, the oddly stony silence of the board of directors (although, given the litigious state we live in, maybe not so odd) and the strong emotions of Haven donors, volunteers and pet lovers.

We’ll cover more soon, including a recounting of the preliminary hearing in which, interestingly, the largest financial suspicions about him were swept away in a blink.

Stay tuned.

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