Conflict hearing scheduled for law firm set to represent stabbing suspect

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on October 14, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A Lethbridge law firm is all set to argue why it should be allowed to represent a woman accused of stabbing another woman during a hostage-taking incident earlier in the summer.

The firm of Connolly Shurtz currently represents the accused, Courtney Louise Shaw, but the Medicine Hat Crown prosecutors’ office is opposing the firm’s representation and says the lawyers are in conflict of interest.

Shaw is charged with one count each of attempted murder, aggravated assault, and taking a hostage, and multiple counts of pointing a firearm, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, unlawful confinement, uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, and assault with a weapon.

The charges against the 40-year-old stem from an incident on July 14 when a woman entered Lethbridge Legal Guidance in the 400 block of 5 Street South, where four employees were working, and asked to speak to a specific lawyer. After being told the lawyer wasn’t available, the suspect asked to use a washroom and 10 minutes later returned and pointed a black handgun at two employees and threatened to kill them. One staffer grabbed a phone and hid under her desk to call 911.

Police said the woman also had a knife and threatened to kill the employees if they tried to leave and didn’t get the lawyer on the phone. She then forced a 54-year-old woman into an office and closed the door, allowing the other employees to escape. The hostage, however, was stabbed numerous times and required surgery. Police seized a knife and an airsoft handgun at the scene.

The Crown maintains the Lethbridge law firm should not represent Shaw and is in conflict given its association with Wade Hlady, an employee of Lethbridge Legal Guidance, who used to work for the law firm. Hlady’s wife, Miranda, currently works for the firm.

The issue was briefly discussed Thursday during a hearing in Lethbridge provincial court, where the judge agreed to adjourn the matter to Dec. 9 for a conflict hearing.

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