Careless driving trial delayed
By Delon Shurtz on May 1, 2021.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com The trial for a Lethbridge man charged with careless driving in the death of a 10-year-old boy continues to be delayed while the Crown and defence discuss the findings of a traffic reconstruction report.Lethbridge lawyer Greg White, who was in Lethbridge provincial court Friday on behalf of his client, Neil Martin Skjodt, said a reconstruction report prepared by a Crown expert is missing information and needs to be reviewed. White explained he sent the Crown’s report to his own reconstruction expert, who subsequently alleged the missing information.
Crown Prosecutor Sheena Campbell, who noted the Crown is ready to proceed with trial, pointed out the order allowing disclosure to be sent to the expert was granted on March 31, but the request from defence regarding clarification on the report only arrived this week.
Skjodt was charged after the young boy was struck and killed by a motor vehicle April 13 of last year. A large SUV travelling south on Aquitania Boulevard turned west onto Whoop-Up Drive and struck two young boys crossing in the crosswalk with their father. The 10-year-old boy died in the hospital.
Skjodt pleaded not guilty several months later to a single charge of careless driving under the Traffic Safety Act, and his lawyer said a trial would be necessary to deal with specific issues.
“In Canada, every person charged with an offence is presumed innocent,” White said outside of court shortly after his client pleaded not guilty. “Mr. Skjodt is presumed innocent, and because of this, there are issues in this case that will have to be resolved with a trial.”
Skjodt, 52, was charged under the Traffic Safety Act rather than under the Criminal Code after investigating officers determined there was no criminality involved in the unfortunate incident. The charge allows for a maximum fine of $2,000 or six months in jail, or both, and possibly licence suspension.
The accused’s next court hearing is set for May 14.
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