Preliminary hearing begins in murder case

By Delon Shurtz on November 10, 2021.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A preliminary hearing for a 38-year-old Piikani man accused of killing a teenager last year, has begun in a southern Alberta courtroom.
The hearing for Dustin Big Bull began Tuesday in Fort Macleod provincial court, and, barring any unforseen delays, is set to conclude by the end of the week.
A preliminary hearing is typically held to present evidence before the judge to determine whether there is enough evidence to warrant a trial.
The accused, who elected Feb. 16 to be tried by a Court of Queen’s Bench judge and jury, is charged with second-degree murder and causing an indignity to human remains.
Big Bull is accused of killing 16-year-old Tregan Crow Eagle, whose remains were found July 27, 2020 wrapped in a tarp at a dumpsite on the Piikani Nation. The teen had been reported missing and was last seen five days earlier.
The following October, shortly after Big Bull was arrested and charged, Calgary lawyer Balfour Der took the case. However, he withdrew Feb. 3 and Calgary lawyer James Wyman took over the file.
During a brief hearing in January, court was told Big Bull had completed a fitness assessment, and was declared fit to stand trial.

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