Accused in murder case back in court

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on July 12, 2023.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

One day after making an appearance in Lethbridge Court of King’s Bench, a city man accused of stabbing his wife to death in December was back in court of justice to deal with the same matter.

The lower court appearance Tuesday was primarily a matter of housekeeping, however, since the fate of 59-year-old David Albert Dragland will ultimately be decided by a King’s Bench judge.

Dragland, who is charged with one count of first-degree murder, elected in June to be tried by a Court of King’s Bench judge, without a jury or preliminary hearing. His first appearance in the higher court was on Monday, but the charge will also remain in court of justice until it is transferred to King’s Bench, which is little more than an administrative process.

“The matter is moving toward resolution,” Lethbridge lawyer Darcy Shurtz told court.

At about 11 p.m. on Dec. 27 police responded to a disturbance involving a man and woman at a home in the 2500 block of 13 Avenue North. When police arrived a man walked out of the home and was arrested without incident.

Police found a critically injured woman inside the home and began First Aid until EMS arrived and took over. The 59-year-old victim, identified as Shelley Dragland, sustained multiple stab wounds and died at the scene.

Police determined the man and woman had been together in the home when the man grabbed a knife from the kitchen and stabbed the victim several times.

Dragland’s next hearing in court of justice is set for Aug. 15 to confirm the information has been transferred to the higher court. The accused’s next appearance in King’s Bench is scheduled for Aug. 14.

Follow @DShurtzHerald on Twitter