Autopsy report holding up homicide proceedings

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on September 14, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

It’s been more than a year since the body of Lane Tailfeathers was discovered in a remote area of southwest Alberta, and four months since five people were charged with his death, yet lawyers for the accused are still waiting for the medical examiner’s autopsy report.

The matter was in Lethbridge provincial court Tuesday, where lawyers simply requested an adjournment while they continue to await disclosure through the Crown’s office.

“We’re eagerly awaiting the autopsy report,” Calgary lawyer Shamsher Kothari confirmed during Tuesday’s hearing.

Kothari said he believed, based on discussions in court last month, the report might be available before Tuesday’s hearing. He said, however, he hasn’t received an update on the report’s status from the assigned Crown prosecutors.

During a court hearing Aug. 23, Crown Prosecutor Adam Zelmer noted the Crown was regularly checking into the status of the report, but it was unknown when it would be available. Zelmer added the delay is preventing lawyers from deciding whether they will require a preliminary inquiry before going to trial.

Crown Prosecutor James Rouleau said Tuesday he hasn’t received an update from the assigned prosecutors in relation to the autopsy report, and he couldn’t tell court when the report might be available.

Three of the accused, Miranda Mae Turuk, Richard William Lavell and Randy Lee Giroux, are charged with second-degree murder and interfering with a dead body. Michelle Lee Toth and Edward Alexander Goodrich are charged with accessory after the fact to murder and interfering with a dead body.

The five individuals are accused in the death of Lane Tailfeathers of Fort Macleod, who was reported missing on June 23, 2021. A month later Tailfeather’s remains were found in a remote area near Crowsnest Pass. RCMP investigators determined the 35-year-old man was killed in Fort Macleod between June 20 and 21 of last year.

The accused’s next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 27.

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