New trial dates to be set for accused in homicide
By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on January 11, 2023.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com After cancelling a manslaughter trial set for later this month, the lawyer for a man accused of killing another man nearly two years ago is taking steps to schedule a new trial.Cullen Drake Tailfeathers was set to stand trial for a week beginning Jan. 23, but it was cancelled in November after Calgary lawyer Balfour Der withdrew as counsel, citing an “irreparable” breakdown in the lawyer-client relationship. A week later Calgary lawyer Jim Lutz went on the record and requested the trial be adjourned.
During a hearing Tuesday in Lethbridge provincial court, Lutz said he is trying to co-ordinate with the Crown prosecutor a pre-trial conference and requested the matter be adjourned for a week to schedule that meeting. A pre-trial conference is typically a precursor to setting a trial, and allows lawyers and a judge to meet and discuss issues relating to the case.
Court was told during a hearing on Nov. 30 that Lutz needs time to review 12 binders of disclosure.
Tailfeathers, 27, pleaded not guilty in August 2021 to charges of manslaughter and break and enter/commit an indictable offence.
Linden Blair Grier, 33, of Brocket, Alta., was found dead in a home in Fort Macleod May 24, 2021. Police were called to the residence at 2:24 a.m., following a report that a man had been injured. Attempts to save the man’s life were unsuccessful.
Tailfeathers, of Fort Macleod, was arrested three days later. Follow @DShurtzHerald on Twitter 4
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