WESTLOCK — The charges against the Westlock teenager who allegedly shot a 62-year-old man last August have been stayed.
Crown prosecutors have a year to bring them back, or the second-degree murder charge will be dropped.
“The charges were stayed because there was no reasonable likelihood of conviction in this matter,” Carla Jones, communications advisor with Alberta Justice and Solicitor General told the News via e-mail Nov. 24.
The teen’s case has been adjourned in Court of Queen’s Bench in Edmonton three times since Oct. 2, with both prosecutors and Evan McIntyre, the teen's lawyer claiming the Crown was either “assessing the viability of the file,” “considering its proceeding,” or that they were involved in “extensive discussions” about whether or not a trial will happen.
At the Oct. 16 appearance, the second time the case was adjourned, McIntyre said they would either resolve the case or set a trial date.
Prosecutors eventually stayed the charge Nov. 19, before the teen was set to appear again in court that Friday.
Trial cancelled due to COVID
A preliminary hearing for the teen’s case was first scheduled for July 15-16 in Westlock Provincial Court, but due to COVID-19 the local courthouse was closed. A pre-trial conference had also been previously scheduled for Jan. 10, 2020.
He first appeared in court Aug. 7, 2019 from the Edmonton Remand Centre, when he was released on a surety bond.
The alleged shooting happened Aug. 2, 2019 at a home in downtown Westlock. RCMP responded to a 911 call at around 12:10 a.m. that a 62-year-old suffered a gunshot wound. When they arrived, the man was already deceased. Police say the victim and the accused, who was 17 at the time, knew each other.
A publication ban under the Youth Criminal Justice Act prohibits naming the accused.
