Dates still to be set for manslaughter trial

By Delon Shurtz on July 20, 2021.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A trial has yet to be set for a 28-year-old man accused of killing another man during a violent assault more than a year ago.
Trial dates were expected to be set Monday for Jason James Crane Chief, but during a brief hearing in Lethbridge Court of Queen’s Bench, his lawyer noted the Crown is seeking a one-month adjournment to contemplate how to best proceed with the case.
Crane Chief was charged with second-degree murder last year, and scheduled to have a four-day preliminary hearing last month. The inquiry concluded on the first day, however, after hearing evidence from only two Crown witnesses, and after defence consented to have Crane Chief committed to stand trial on a lesser charge of manslaughter.
Crane Chief was arrested May 1, 2020, four days after Mark Joel Moore, 43, was found dead in his southside apartment. Co-accused Justin Robert White Cow, 34, was arrested a few days later, and both men later elected to be tried by a judge and jury. However, White Cow pleaded guilty in May to manslaughter and was sentenced to seven years in prison.
Court was told during sentencing that White Cow and several other guests who were partying and drinking at Moore’s home developed some animosity toward their host and began to argue with him. White Cow and at least one other person punched Moore and then White Cow pushed him from behind, causing Moore to strike his head near a window. White Cow kicked Moore and punched him in the face, and he and at least one other assailant struck him with wooden chairs.
There were dozens of cuts and abrasions to Moore’s face and body. His nose was broken and there was swelling to his brain. His death was the result of multiple blunt force injuries caused during the assault.
Crane Chief’s matter returns to court Aug. 23.

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