Accused in manslaughter case still waiting for trial date to be set

By Delon Shurtz on September 16, 2021.

Nearly three months after Jason James Crane Chief was ordered to stand trial for manslaughter, the accused is still waiting to set a trial date.
The matter was back in Lethbridge Court of Queen’s Bench Monday, where, after several adjournments, the Crown and defence were expected to finally schedule a trial.
However, Lethbridge lawyer Ingrid Hess said the Crown is seeking another adjournment while it continues to consult with, and wait for, direction from the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service.
Crane Chief, 28, was charged with second-degree murder in 2020, and scheduled to have a four-day preliminary hearing in June.
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 the 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 last 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 Oct. 25.