Men charged with second-degree murder make first court appearance
By Shurtz, Delon on May 20, 2020.
Delon Shurtz
lethbridge herald
Two men charged with the city’s second murder this year made their first appearance in Lethbridge court Tuesday.
Both men appeared separately by closed-circuit TV from the Lethbridge Correctional Centre, where they were in quarantine last week when the charges were first before the court.
Lethbridge lawyer Claudia Connolly told court she anticipates she will be appointed by Legal Aid to represent Justin Robert Adel White Cow, but has yet to receive confirmation. His matter was adjourned for a week, along with Jason Paul James Crane Chief, who is also charged with second-degree murder.
Crane Chief’s lawyer is Ingrid Hess who, court was told, will speak to the accused’s bail hearing during the next court hearing.
Crane Chief, 27, was arrested May 1, four days after police responded to a report of an injured man at an apartment building in the 1200 block of 4 Avenue South. Police and EMS found the body of a 43-year-old man inside one of the units. White Cow, 33, was arrested on May 5.
During the evening of April 26 the victim had been inside his apartment socializing with acquaintances when a fight broke out. When a friend arrived at the victim’s apartment the following day the man was unresponsive and his friend called for help.
Police have confirmed a weapon was used during the fight and drugs were being consumed at the social gathering.
The murder is the city’s second this year.
The first was in February when a 35-year-old man was shot at a residence in the 200 block of University Drive West. Police said the shooting was targeted, and the individuals involved were arguing over drugs when the victim was shot and killed.
An arrest warrant was issued for 29-year-old Mohamud Omar Dhiblawe of Toronto, who is charged with second-degree murder. He was arrested in Regina in March during an unrelated drug bust at a residence.
Follow @DShurtzHerald on Twitter
16-15
