Trial in December for man accused in 2016 NYE shooting murder
By Medicine Hat News on March 16, 2019.
Leonard Beaulieu – one of two men accused of murder in relation to the 2016 News Year’s Eve homicide of 21-year-old Jordan Pede – is scheduled to go on trial starting Dec. 9. Beaulieu was charged with second-degree murder, along with Luke Boxell, after Pede was found with gunshot wounds at Strathcona Island Park. The victim died after being flown to Calgary Hospital for treatment. At the time of the killing, police said they suspected the homicide was the result of a drug deal gone wrong. A nationwide warrant for Beaulieu’s arrest was issued on Jan. 31, 2017 – mere days after Boxell was arrested – and he was apprehended in Winnipeg on Feb. 13. He’s been in custody since. Boxell pled guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter on April 24, 2018, receiving a 10-year prison sentence. Beaulieu was originally scheduled for a 12-day judge and jury trial beginning May 6, but it was rescheduled Friday at the Court of Queen’s Bench. This time, Beaulieu elected for trial by judge alone, which is unusual for a murder trial, but can be done with the Crown’s consent. Proceedings are expected to wrap up by Dec. 20. 9-8
