Fossil theft suspect may seek new lawyer
By Shurtz, Delon on February 6, 2020.
Delon Shurtz
Lethbridge Herald
A man accused of stealing a valuable ammonite fossil from a local mine may have to delay setting a trial date if he decides to find a new lawyer.
The case for Logan Heavy Shield was in Lethbridge provincial court Wednesday, where the accused’s lawyer was expected to set a date for trial on charges of theft over $5,000 and entering land without permission under the Petty Trespass Act.
However, court was told Heavy Shield was considering applying to change counsel, and his current lawyer needs time to discuss the matter with him and determine who will eventually run the trial.
RCMP reported last summer workers at the open-pit mine south of the city had discovered a rare piece of ammonite not long before the theft occurred July 16. The workers were on a lunch break when they saw an individual enter the mining area, grab the fossil and put it in a backpack. The fossil is from a coiled shellfish that may have lived about the time of the dinosaurs.
The miners chased the suspect but stopped when he threatened them with a pickaxe. The thief jumped into a waiting pickup truck and escaped. RCMP responded but were initially unable to find the suspects.
Heavy Shield’s matter returns to court Feb. 27. He is co-accused with Bryan David Fyfe, who faces the same charges.
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